Laparoscopic assessment and orchidectomy for the adult undescended testis

The aim of this study was assessment of the usefulness of laparoscopy in th e diagnosis and treatment of the adult nonpalpable testicle. We reviewed re trospectively the case notes of five adult patients with cases of impalpabl e testis that were evaluated and treated laparoscopically in our institutio ns. All five patients had unilateral nonpalpable testicles. The mean age of the patients was 36.5 years (+/- 5 years). Laparoscopy defined the intraab dominal anatomy accurately in all cases, and there were no laparoscopic com plications. Two testes were found intra-abdominally, another testicle was f ound lying in the inguinal canal, and the last two testes were absent. Lapa roscopy is a safe and reliable method in diagnosing adults with nonpalpable testis and also allows the completion of the operative procedure during a 1-day hospital stay.