Non-descent of the testis: An overlooked laparoscopic finding

The purpose of this report is to bring attention to a rare variety of non-descended testis which may be easily overlooked. Between 1996 and 2006 diagnostic laparoscopy was performed for non-palpable testes in 209 children with 229 impalpable testes. Eight abdominal testes were encountered in seven patients located in the sub-renal position; the vas was found to be looping in an upward direction to join the epididymis. Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephen procedure was attempted in all these cases, with the loss of two testes and salvage of six.