[Transumbilical single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy for inguinal cryptorchidism in children: report of 33 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility and effect of transumbilical single-site laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of inguinal cryptorchidism in children.

METHODS

From August to November 2013, 33 children with inguinal cryptorchidism (41 testes) underwent transumbilical single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy. The undescended testes were palpable in the inguen intra-operatively in all the cases, 14 on the right, 11 on the left, and 8 bilaterally.

RESULTS

All the operations were performed successfully with neither intraoperative complications nor conversion to operi surgery. Adequate length of spermatic cord was pulled down to allow the testis to descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum in all the cases. Totally, 39 testes in 31 cases were fixed at the bottom and 2 testes in 2 cases in the middle of the scrotum. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 9 months, which showed normal development of the testes, but no such postoperative complications as testicular retraction and atrophy, indirect hernia, and hydrocele.

CONCLUSION

Transumbilical single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy is a feasible and effective technique for the treatment of inguinal palpable undescended testis in children, and its cosmetic results were desirable.