LAPAROSCOPIC ORCHIOPEXY FOR THE INTRAABDOMINAL TESTIS

Laparoscopic orchiopexy was performed in 3 patients with an intra-abdominal testis. The laparoscopic approach provides better exposure of the spermatic vessels and vas deferens, and is less traumatic compared to the open procedure. In 2 patients the spermatic vessels were dissected after incising the posterior peritoneum but in 1 a strip of peritoneum overlying the vessels was left to avoid inadvertent damage to the spermatic vessels. The testicles could be brought down easily to the scrotum and there was no postoperative atrophy in any of the cases. Preliminary results suggest that the laparoscopic approach is a suitable, minimally invasive alternative to open exploration in patients with salvageable abdominal testes.