Objective: To evaluate our experience in laparoscopic management as the procedure of choice for nonpalpable testes (NPT). Methods: Review of charts of all boys with NPT who underwent laparoscopy (January 2000 December 2005. Demographic data, ultrasound (US) results, surgical details were documented. Results: Sixty-three patients (74 NPT) were identified; 25 left, 26 right and 12 bilateral. Mean age at diagnosis was 3.6y (1m-13y). Thirty-seven cases had a pre-op US; in 29 (78%) the testis was not found; 7(22%) an intra-canalicular teste was described. All were impalpable at evaluation under anesthesia (EUA). Mean age at surgery was 4.9y (2 m-17 y). Laparoscopic findings were; intra-abdominal teste (n = 24, 33%), vanishing teste (n = 12, 16%) and vas-vessels entering inguinal ring (n = 38, 51%). 16/24 underwent a 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchyopexy and 8/24 a laparoscopic-assisted single stage orchypexy. When vasvessels entered inguinal ring, inguinal exploration was performed; 23 cases underwent orchyopexy; 13 had orchydectomy (atrophic-vanishing). After follow-up, 3 testes are atrophic. Conclusions: 36/74 NPT were not in the inguinal canal (24 intraabdominal and 12 vanishing). When vas-vessels entered inguinal ring, 13 were vanishing-atrophic and not identifiable (EUA or US). Hence, in 49 cases (66%) laparoscopic exploration was critical in teste location, therefore this approach may be the procedure of choice for NPT.

85.4 vs 89; 79.9 vs 83; 89 vs 80; 79.8 vs 80.6 (p: ns); hematocrit (%): 28.8 vs 30.4; 31.7 vs 34.4; 34.4; 32.4 vs 34.8; 34.4 vs 35.5 (p: ns). Total cholesterol (mg/dl): 151 vs 206; 139 vs 174; 138 vs 186; 140 vs 180 (p <0.05). Mean delta height/age Z score at the first year: 0.5 vs 0.15; 0.7 vs 0.22; 0.97 vs 0.25 (p <0.05). Mean systolic blood pressure Z score: 0.9 vs 1.5; 0.5 vs 0.9; -0.3 vs 0.8; 0.1 vs 1.0 (p <0.05 (Rev Méd Chile 2006; 134: 1393-401).

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