Laparoscopy for the impalpable testes. Initial experience of one center.

Twenty three patients with impalpable tests underwent diagnostic laparoscopy in our hospital between 1988 and 1991, in an attempt to evaluate this modality of investigation. Four of them had bilateral undescended, i.e. total of 27 tests, 12 on the right side and 15 on the left. Eight patients were adults, age between 23 and 38, average 30 years, 15 were children, age between 1 and 9, average 5 years. Twenty testes were intraperitoneal (74%), 6 intracanalicular (22.2%) and one absent (3.8%). Thirteen testes were removed and 2 were diagnostic only, the rest had successful orchiopexy. No operative or postoperative morbidity. Laparoscopy was diagnostic in all cases, assisted in planning the surgical procedure in 21 testes and saved one patient the surgical incision. Laparoscopy is a safe procedure, has a definite role in the management of impalpable testes, for diagnosis and planning of surgery. Future prospects of operative laparoscopy needs to be developed and evaluated.