Review Article - Role of laparoscopy in the management of impalpable testes

Both diagnostic and operative laparoscopy was used in the management of 189 impalpable testes. 66 were either vanishing or atrophied, 17 were found in the inguinal canal, 19 in the groin, and 87 intra-abdominal. Four of the latter group were associated with persistent Mullerian duct syndrome and one with splenogonad fusion. Four atrophied abdominal testes were excised laparoscopically, 47 were treated with one stage laparoscopic orchidopexy and 34 with laparoscopic Fowler Stephen (FS) procedure. A good scrotal position was achieved in 63% of the one stage procedure and 69% with the two stage FS approach.