title: Trans-scrotal approach for surgical correction of cryptorchidism and congenital anomalies of the processus vaginalis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgery of the inguinal canal is the most common practice in pediatric urology. Recently, the trans-scrotal approach has been described for orchidopexy of palpable undescended tests. The aim of this paper is to report our experience with this technique, emphasizing both the advantages and the disadvantages with respect to the usual approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a period of 2 years, we used the trans-scrotal approach in 85 children with cryptorchidism, hydrocele and inguinal hernia. The scrotal incision was combined vertical and horizontal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All children with hernia and hydrocele were cured without complications. Among the cryptorchids, 3 children required an additional groin incision to complete the procedure, 3 experienced postoperative hematoma, 2 had mild testicular hypotrophy, and 1 recurrent cryptorchidism at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most palpable undescended testes can be successfully treated by this operation. However, the dissection of the processus vaginalis from the cord below the external ring is time-consuming, requires more skill, and exposes to more complications. Conversely, the results are excellent in hydroceles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lais
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012611:Scrotum / Q000601:surgery; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome