During the 3 year period, July 1989 to June 1992, 50 patients with 52
palpable undescended testes underwent orchidopexy by the transscrotal
approach as a day case procedure. In each case the testis was in the d
istal inguinal position and no patient required conversion to an ingui
nal approach. Forty-one of these patients attended for review at a med
ian of 2.7 years (range 4 months-3.5 years). Just over a half of the p
atients had required mild post-operative analgesia at home. Thirty-six
boys (88%) had mobilized on the first post-operative day and the medi
an period for return to normal activities was 4 days (range 2-14 days)
. Parents of all the patients expressed satisfaction with the outcome
of the procedure. The testicular position was maintained in all patien
ts and the cosmetic result was excellent. We recommend transscrotal or
chidopexy for undescended testes in the superficial inguinal pouch and
distal inguinal canal while suggesting the inguinal approach for test
es in the higher positions.