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Management of nonpalpable testis: laparoscopic approach Ketan D. Mehta, Sameer M. Kacheriwala, Yogesh R. Jain, Biju S. Pillai, Ajay P. Sodhi, Vimal B. Vyas Abstract Objective: In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of nonpalpable testis. Material and Method: Fifteen patients with 19 nonpalpable testes underwent laparoscopy between January 2002 and December 2002. Laparoscopy revealed either absent testis, intra-abdominal testis or inguinal testis. In cases of absent testes or vanishing testes, the procedure was terminated. In cases of intra-abdominal testes, laparoscopic orchidopexy or orchidectomy was carried out after placing additional ports, and in cases of inguinal testes, routine groin exploration was performed. Results: Two of the 19 testes (10.52%) were absent and these patients were spared any further surgical intervention. Eleven of the 19 testes (57.89%) were located intra-abdominally and were managed successfully by means of laparoscopic orchidopexy or orchidectomy. Six of the 19 testes (31.57%) were in the inguinal canal and were managed by standard groin exploration. No laparoscopy-related complications occurred. Conclusion: This experience has made us believe that laparoscopy is a very useful, reliable and safe procedure, crucial in the management of nonpalpable testis. Keywords Laparoscopy, Nonpalpable testis, Impalpable testis, Undescended testis, Cryptorchidism

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