Laparoscopic orchidopexy for the treatment of cryptorchidism in adults: a description of the technique and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies on cryptorchidism in adults, and its treatment is still controversial. METHODS: To summarize the surgical strategy and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic orchidopexy for the treatment of cryptorchidism in adults, 37 adult cryptorchidism patients were retrospectively analyzed between September 2017 and February 2022. All 37 patients underwent laparoscopic orchidopexy, of whom 33 underwent inguinal hernia repair without tension. The intraoperative procedures and surgical techniques were recorded in detail. Preoperative examination and regular postoperative review of color Doppler ultrasound, and reproductive hormone, alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels were performed. RESULTS: All testes descended successfully into the scrotum, including 25 through the inguinal route and 12 through Hesselbach's triangle route. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. The follow-up time was 38.6 (± 19.4) months, and no evidence of testicular malignancy was found during the follow-up period. After analyzing the reproductive hormone levels at 1 year postoperatively in 28 patients with more than 1 year of follow-up, it was found that the patients had a significant increase in testosterone levels and a decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone levels after surgery. None of the patients showed any significant improvement in semen quality after surgery. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that laparoscopic orchidopexy is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for the treatment of cryptorchidism in adults, especially high cryptorchidism, which is difficult to treat. After comprehensive consideration, preserving the testis should be preferred for treating cryptorchidism in adults to maximize the protection of the patient's reproductive hormone secretion function.

A rare presentation of transverse testicular ectopia and role of laparoscopy.

Transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) is an uncommon congenital anomaly, in which both the gonads migrate towards the same hemi-scrotum. We report a rare case of TTE discovered coincidentally during surgery in a 1-year-old boy who presented with bilateral undescended testis and right inguinoscrotal swelling. The use of laparoscopy during evaluation for impalpable testis can aid in the diagnosis of TTE, before inguinal exploration. Findings such as the vascular supply and vas deferens of the crossed testis and the identification of Müllerian structures can be confirmed by laparoscopy. Diagnostic laparoscopy was suggestive of both the testes entering in the right-sided open deep inguinal ring, while left-sided deep inguinal ring was found to be closed. There was no evidence of persistent Müllerian structures. On exploration, both testes were present in the right inguinal region. A bilateral trans-septal orchidopexy along with right herniotomy was performed.

Laparoscopic Orchiopexy For Management Of Bilateral Non-Palpable Testes

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous clinical studies regarding the management of unilateral impalpable testes by laparoscopy, there is a paucity of such studies regarding the management of bilateral 'non-palpable' testes. We shared the outcome of the laparoscopic management of bilateral 'non-palpable' testes in terms of successful orchiopexy and complications in children. METHODS: A total of 22 children underwent bilateral diagnostic laparoscopy for undescended testes who presented to our department from January 2010 till March 2018. We did chart review for variables such as the age of children, operative time, hospital stay, single-stage or 2 stage procedure, and operative complications. Preoperatively history and physical examination were done along with baseline investigations and Ultrasound abdomen and scrotum before surgery for general anaesthesia fitness. They were managed by single or two steps laparoscopic orchiopexy according to suitability for each case. RESULTS: We performed bilateral laparoscopic orchidopexies in 22 children having a mean age of 4.1±1.98 years (49.2 months) Mean operative time for single setting bilateral single-stage orchiopexy was 136±32 minutes. Out of twenty-two children with bilateral impalpable testes, 12 boys (54.5%) were managed with a single-stage Bilateral Laparoscopic technique while the other 10 (45.45%) were managed in 2 staged laparoscopic intervention using Fowler-Stephens technique. Testicular atrophy was seen in 2/44 testes (4.54%). While 1 /44 (2.27%) testis had ascended to the inguinal region requiring redo surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of bilateral 'non-palpable' testes in a single or double setting is a safe and effective method of bringing testes down to the scrotum. It has no major morbidities.

Anaesthesia concerns and perioperative management in a child with DiGeorge syndrome with corrected tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia posted for laparoscopic orchidopexy: Case report.

DiGeorge syndrome is afflicted with multiple congenital anomalies such as conotruncal and craniofacial anomaly, immune system dysfunction and hypoplasia/aplasia of parathyroid glands. Laparoscopy is a preferred surgical approach over open orchidopexy due to better visualisation of impalpable testis avoiding long incision, minimal tissue damage and a faster recovery. We report a case of DiGeorge syndrome with corrected tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia in a 1-year-old male child posted for laparoscopic orchidopexy. The anaesthesiologists face unique challenges due to the multisystem involvement and the effects of laparoscopic surgery on multiple organs. Thorough understanding of DiGeorge syndrome is essential for a good perioperative outcome.

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.

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 1week, 1, 3 and 6months. RESULTS: Twenty-one NPIT patients were treated, mean age 21.0±11.7months. Ultrasound identified 15 cases of NPIT (71%); diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 6 (29%). All patients underwent an inguinal orchidopexy. At 1week, four testes were in a high scrotal position. At 6months 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. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Case series with no comparison group.

Transverse testicular ectopia with a blind ending vas deferens.

Transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) is an uncommon anomaly of testicular descent. Herein, we describe a case of TTE with blindly ending vas and persistent Mόllerian duct syndrome in a 2-year-old child. Orchidopexy could be done through the normal orthotopic route after separating it from the Mόllerian structure and dividing the peritoneal fold just distal to the blindly ending vas. The report highlights that laparoscopy is useful for identifying subtle anomalies in addition to its therapeutic role.

The management of the persistent Müllerian duct syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To report the findings and management of patients with persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen phenotypically male patients (aged 8 months to 27 years) presented with testicular maldescent. All of them had normal male external genitalia. Two of them had had a previous diagnosis of persistent Müllerian structures. All patients were karyotyped, and had a hormonal profile, diagnostic laparoscopy, retrograde urethrocystogram, gonadal biopsies, and surgical management according to the findings. The follow-up was based on a clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography (US) and scrotal colour-Doppler US at 3 and 6 months after surgery, and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Diagnostic laparoscopy showed the presence of persistent Müllerian structures in all 19 patients. All patients had a normal male karyotype (46XY). Ten patients had a laparoscopic excision of their Müllerian structures while the remaining nine patients had their Müllerian structures left in place. No malignant changes were found in the excised Müllerian tissues. Of the 37 gonadal biopsies taken, 31 (84%) indicated normal testes. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and prevalence of PMDS are not well estimated. Müllerian structures should be removed whenever possible to avoid the risk of malignant transformation. The early diagnosis of PMDS makes possible the excision of Müllerian structures and a primary orchidopexy. A long-term follow-up is needed for patients with intact Müllerian structures and magnetic resonance imaging might be a better method than US for that purpose. Most of the patients had normal testicular histology, which might allow fertility.

The evolving role of laparoscopic surgery in paediatric urology.

OBJECTIVES: We review the various applications of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopy in paediatric urology, as the laparoscopic and robotic approach in this population is gradually being recognised. METHODS: We searched PubMed for human studies in English that were published between 1990 and the present, focusing on laparoscopic nephrectomies and partial nephrectomies, laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasties and ureteric reimplantation, laparoscopic orchidopexy and varicocelectomy. We also reviewed robotic-assisted laparoscopic urological major reconstructions. Key articles were reviewed, extracting the indications, techniques, and the advantages and disadvantages. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy has a defined place in modern paediatric urological surgery. Laparoscopic nephrectomies, pyeloplasties and abdominal exploration for the evaluation and management of impalpable undescended testicles have become the standard of care. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery is developing as a safe and effective option even for infant patients.