title: Laparoscopic orchidopexy for the intra-abdominal testis.
abstract: The role of laparoscopy in the management of the impalpable testis has been largely as a diagnostic tool only. Its therapeutic application as a single or two-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure for the intra-abdominal testis is assessed and a management algorithm derived. A retrospective review was performed of 26 children with 33 intra-abdominal testes (IAT) who were operated upon between 1992 and 1997; 5 had a single-stage (6 testes) and 21 had a staged approach. All children had the operated testis located in an acceptable scrotal position on review. Six operations were performed as a single-stage procedure. Four testes were palpably smaller at follow-up: 2 in the single-stage (33.3%) and 2 in the two-stage group (7%). Of the 26 children, 24 were day-case admissions. Minor self-limiting complications were observed in 5 cases. Laparoscopic localisation and Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy can be safely employed in the definitive management of the IAT.
authors.affiliation: Royal and Mater Childrens' Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Borzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods