HIGH SCROTAL ORCHIDOPEXY FOR PALPABLE MALDESCENDED TESTES

Objective To confirm that most spermatic cords of palpable maldescende d testes are long enough to place the testes in the scrotum and theref ore that a satisfactory scrotal testicular position can be achieved by a single high scrotal incision with less dissection of the inguinal r egion. Patients and method Between January 1991 and June 1995, 106 hig h scrotal orchidopexies (HSOs) for clinically palpable maldescended te stes were carried out in 96 patients (mean age 41 months, range 14 mon ths to 11 years), Ten patients had bilateral undescended testes, Regar dless of the initial testicular position or the age of the patients, a ll orchidopexies were commenced with a high scrotal incision. Ninety-t wo testes (87%) were placed satisfactorily in the scrotum and the rema ining 14 testes (13%) required a second inguinal incision. Results Dur ing the follow-up (mean 16 months, range 8 months to 3 years), 85 test es (80%) showed good anatomical and cosmetic results, Five testes requ ired a repeat conventional orchidopexy 6 months after the HSO. Three t estes were excised because they showed atrophic changes; 11 of the 14 testes which required two incisions initially have shown good results. Conclusion High scrotal orchidopexy is a satisfactory approach to any palpable maldescended testis, having the advantage of using a single incision and requiring less dissection and anatomical disruption of th e inguinal region, with excellent cosmesis.