Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, cilt.74, sa.3, ss.269-272, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
Objectives: Management of non-palpable testes is still one of the controversial topics of pediatric surgery. Laparoscopic exploration has been characterized as a gold standard in the diagnosis and management of undescended testes in recent years. In this study, we aimed to share our experience of diagnostic laparoscopy in non-palpable testes. Materials and Methods: Seventy-three patients with non-palpable testes diagnosis, who were treated in the clinic between June 2006 and December 2017, were included in the study. Diagnostic laparoscopy was applied to all patients. According to findings determined during diagnostic laparoscopy, the next step of non-palpable testes management was planned. Age at presentation, affected side, operative techniques and results were recorded. Results: The age of the children ranged from 6 to 197 months. The median age of patients was 46.7 months. The mean period of clinical follow-up was 19 months, ranging from 1 to 96 months. Laterality of non-palpable testes was determined through physical examination and confirmed via diagnostic laparoscopy. Sixty-six patients had unilateral non-palpable testes: Twenty-five testicular units were right-sided and 41 testicular units were left-sided. Other seven patients had bilateral non-palpable intra-abdominal testes. Conclusion: Despite controversies and different advised techniques in the management of non-palpable testes, laparoscopy remains to be important. Laparoscopic assistance in the management of non-palpable testes not only leads to determination of localization and decision of next step procedure, but also helps to avoid unnecessary surgical attempts.