[Non-palpable testes--diagnosis and therapy].

The authors subject to a retrospective analysis a group of 522 boys operated on account of retention of the testes during 1982-1991, whereby they focused attention on cases where the testis was not palpable before operation. In 57 (10.9%) of the boys with a non-palpable testis in three instances the finding was bilateral and in 54 cases unilateral. Surgical revision of 60 testicles revealed anorchia in 14 instances (23.3%), inguinal retention in 25 (41.7%) and abdominal retention in 21 (35.0%). Orchiopexy was performed in 31 boys and orchiectomy in 15. The therapeutic results are unfavourable in particular in the group of boys with intraabdominal retention. The mentioned state of affairs can be improved only by initiating treatment at the age of 1 year, making use of microsurgery and laparoscopy in the diagnostic and therapeutic process.