Laparoscopy and the management of the impalpable testis.

We describe the technique of laparoscopy when seeking to locate an impalpable testis. The procedure was used in 86 boys with unilateral or bilateral undescended testes; of the 103 testes which were sought, 64 were present, 39 were absent and 53 were intra-abdominal. Laparoscopy is useful in the management of the impalpable testis. The information gained from the study is valuable when advising parents of the significance of an impalpable testis. For example, there is a 39% chance it will be absent, a 29% chance that it will be easily placed in the scrotum and a 38% chance that a staged procedure may be necessary.