Is inguinal orchidopexy still a current procedure in the treatment of intraabdominal testis in the era of laparoscopic surgery?

Purpose: To report our experience in surgical management of nonpalpable intraabdominal testis (NPIT) by inguinal orchidopexy without division of the spermatic vessels. Methods: We reviewed the records of NPIT patients who underwent orchidopexy between 2012 and 2015. All patients were evaluated ultrasonographically. When the testis was not detected ultrasonographically, a laparoscopic exploration was performed. If the testis was found on laparoscopy, surgery was resumed through an inguinal incision. A follow-up was performed at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months. Results: Twenty-one NPIT patients were treated, mean age 21.0 +/- 11.7 months. Ultrasound identified 15 cases of NPIT (71%); diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 6 (29%). All patients underwent an inguinal orchidopexy. At 1 week, four testes were in a high scrotal position. At 6 months follow-up, one testis was in a high scrotal position and one retracted up to the external inguinal ring. No atrophy was recorded. Conclusions: Despite several attempts to find a surgical technique without any significant complications, all described procedures failed to meet the target. In our experience, inguinal orchidopexy is a safe, reliable and successful surgical procedure for the management of NPIT. It should be preferred to a technique requiring vascular division, burdened with a higher incidence of atrophy. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.