Human chorionic gonadotrophin and laparoscopy in the treatment of impalpable testes.

The object of this preliminary retrospective study was to assess the use of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in the treatment of impalpable testes. Eleven children were found to have an impalpable testis, and in two cases neither testis was palpable. After HCG injections, 10 testes were palpable (67%), two of which were in the scrotum. During laparoscopy, three testes were found to be absent (20%) and two were found to be intraabdominal (13%). During surgery, seven testes were found in the inguinal canal, close to the deep ring (47%). The other was found at the superficial ring. The authors conclude that HCG injections are valuable in the treatment of impalpable testes; the treatment resulted in palpable testes in 83% of their cases in which one testis was present.