Unsatisfactory testicular position after inguinal orchidopexy: Is there a role for upfront laparoscopy?

Objectives: To examine the role of laparoscopy in managing unsatisfactory testicular position after an open inguinal orchidopexy. We hypothesised that testes that were originally peeping, where short vessels represented a difficulty and testes that only reached a high scrotal position under tension, especially after an initial surgery performed with the appropriate expertise, are candidates for initial laparoscopic dissection. Patients and methods: Nineteen boys with an initial open inguinal orchidopexy, with a mean age of 31 months, were considered. Twelve were then treated by a laparoscopic-assisted orchidopexy technique. Standard laparoscopy was established and utilised to mobilise the spermatic cord from above, then completed by an open inguinal mobilisation. Results: The mean age at surgery was 26 months. The laparoscopic redo surgery took place at a mean interval of 11.9 months after the initial operation. The mean operative time was 72 min. A good position and size of the testis were achieved in all cases, evidenced by ultrasonography at 6 months postoperatively and clinically thereafter. Conclusion: An upfront combined laparoscopic and inguinal approach to redo orchidopexy for recurrent palpable undescended testes is suitable in selected patients. This study identifies the selection criteria and outlines the operative considerations. This laparoscopic-assisted approach is a safe and feasible way to correct unsatisfactory position of the testis, with diminished risk of injury to the vas and vessels, while gaining the maximum possible length by high retroperitoneal dissection. Abbreviation: UDT: undescended testis/testes