Management of intraabdominal testicle during laparoscopic hernia repair

A 22-year-old man who had previously undergone work-up for right cryptorchidism and been diagnosed as having right testicular absence was referred for repair of a right inguinal hernia. A laparoscopic approach was chosen for this patient, and at the time of laparoscopic herniorrhaphy, a small intraabdominal testicle was visualized and removed laparoscopically. Laparoscopy has served as an excellent procedure for locating intraabdominal testes and planning the most appropriate treatment for many cryptorchid patients. Until recently, atrophic testes located within the abdominal cavity through use of a laparoscope were removed via an open technique. Advances in laparoscopy now enable detection and definitive treatment for these patients without the need for large, more painful incisions. The laparoscopic approach to this patient enabled diagnosis and management of his cryptorchidism and provided a means for repair of his hernia.