[Laparoscopic diagnosis and therapy of cryptorchism]

Between May 1987 and December 1991, laparoscopy was performed in 33 selected children with 40 nonpalpable testes, to localize the testes. Of 40 testes sought, 16 were present (14 intra-abdominal and 2 inguinal), and in 24 cases testicular aplasia was verified. The authors describe the technique of laparoscopy for unilateral and bilateral undescended testes. Exact anatomical localization of the testes by laparoscopy facilitated accurate planning of operative repair. The advantages of laparoscopy compared with ultrasound and MR imaging in 14 selected patients are described. In 3 patients with an intra-abdominal hypoplastic testis we performed laparoscopic orchiectomy. This new operative procedure is described. Laparoscopic orchiectomy is minimally invasive, offering a practicable alternative to orchiectomy in the case of an atrophic or hypoplastic abdominal testis. No complications were noted.