Preoperative laparoscopy in the management of the nonpalpable testis.

The purpose of laparoscopy in the management of the nonpalpable testis is to provide information regarding testicular presence and location to facilitate overall surgical management. Laparoscopy was performed at operation in 20 patients between 14 months to 21 years old (average 63 months), who had 22 nonpalpable testes. Of the testes 13 (59 per cent) were in the inguinal region or just proximal to the inguinal ring, 8 (36 per cent) were in a high intra-abdominal position and 1 (5 per cent) were absent. Anatomical localization of nonpalpable testes facilitated accurate planning of operative repair and the laparoscopy rendered exploration unnecessary in patients with intraabdominal vanishing testes syndrome, and laparoscopic orchiectomy is the treatment for the unilateral intraabdominal testes in patients more than 10 years old.