[Diagnostic laparoscopy in non-palpable testis]

In this article we present our experience with diagnostic laparoscopies in 45 patients with a total of 48 impalpable testes. Laparoscopy was performed before surgical exploration, in the same operative set-up. No complications were seen. One laparoscopy was a technical failure. In six children and one adult no testis, no deferent duct or spermatic vessels were found. The diagnosis of testicular absence was made. In 14 children no testis was found. In 13 cases atrophic spermatic vessels were seen, in one case histologically proven testicular tissue was found. In one case a blind-ending deferent duct was seen. In 27 patients an intra-abdominal testis was found, mostly 2-3 cm before the internal annulus. We performed an orchidectomy 10 times, an orchidopexy 3 times and an autotransplantation of the testis 9 times. Laparoscopy proved to be an easy, safe and reliable method to localise an impalpable testis. It is the method of choice in our clinic.