Therapeutic laparoscopy for intra-abdominal testes.

Fourteen laparoscopic surgical procedures were performed in 10 children with 11 intra-abdominal testes. In addition to localizing the testes, laparoscopy aided in the surgical approach. In 8 patients, the first phase of a two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was performed. Five children underwent an open surgical procedure three months later and have a viable testis in the scrotum after at least nine months of follow-up. In 5 patients (6 testicles), laparoscopy was used to dissect the testis. Three patients underwent the second phase of the two-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure laparoscopically. In all 3 patients, the testicle could be easily mobilized into the scrotum. Two other testicles were mobilized by dissecting the spermatic vessels up to the renal hilum laparoscopically; this allowed the intra-abdominal testes to come into the scrotum without dividing the spermatic vessels. In one teenager with a small intra-abdominal testis and a normal contralateral testis, laparoscopic orchiectomy was performed. We believe laparoscopy has a role both diagnostically and surgically in the treatment of intra-abdominal testes.