title: Low transscrotal orchidopexy is a safe and effective approach for undescended testes distal to the external inguinal ring.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the results of a low transscrotal orchidopexy in patients with palpable undescended testes located distal to the external inguinal ring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 1998 and June 2005, transscrotal orchidopexy with a single low scrotal incision was performed in 32 patients for 49 undescended testes. The indication was an undescended testis that lay distal to the external ring and could be pulled down manually into the scrotum under general anesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All testes that were treated with the low transscrotal approach were successfully fixed in the middle or lower portion of the scrotum. The mean operative time was significantly shorter for the low transscrotal orchidopexy (45.2 min) than for the inguinal orchidopexy (66.6 min) for 107 undescended testes at similar locations. The median follow-up duration was 39.1 months; all testes except 1 (97.7%) were located in a good position within the scrotum and had a good consistency; 1 testis ascended postoperatively and required inguinal orchidopexy. No inguinal hernias or hydroceles occurred after the surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low transscrotal orchidopexy appears to be an excellent alternative to the standard inguinal orchidopexy for undescended testes located distal to the external inguinal ring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan. matakaha@clin.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurokawa
authors.forename: Ryoichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koizumi
authors.forename: Kunihisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taue
authors.forename: Tomoteru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.forename: Hiro-omi
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Kanayama
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012611:Scrotum / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*