Laparoscopy in adults and children with nonpalpable testes

Laparoscopy was performed in 31 patients presenting 36 nonpalpable testes. Sixteen adults had a chronological age of 15 to 33 years (average 21 years) and fifteen children had a chronological age of 2 to 13 years (average 6 years). Among 20 investigated testes in 16 adults, 11 (55%) were sighted in the abdominal cavity. Vessels and deferens were seen entering the inner inguinal ring in 5 cases (25%). Vascular and gonadal structures were not found in four cases (20%). Among 16 investigated testes in 15 children, 10 (62,5%) were sighted in the abdominal cavity. Vessels and deferens entering the inner inguinal ring were sighted in 2 cases (12,5%). Nothing was found in two cases (12,5%). Blind ending vas sighted in 1 case (6,25%) and one exam was not conclusive because of intestinal adherence in 1 case (6,25%). The laparoscopy proved to be an accurate diagnosis method in 34 (94,5%) of 36 cases of nonpalpable examined testes.