Laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of cryptorchidism

Laparoscopy plays an outstanding role in the diagnosis of non palpable testis. Laparoscopy is as accurate as surgical exploration but, compared with the latter, is less invasive and faster; moreover in cases of testicular absence it makes surgery unnecessary. Concerning laparoscopic surgery in the case of abdominal testis, orchiectomy is an easy procedure which prolongs diagnostic laparoscopy for only a short time. It is indicated in pediatric patients with hypoplasic testis. In adult patients, except for cases of monorchidism and bilateral abdominal testis, orchiectomy is always recommended. At present laparoscopic orchiopexy does not seem to offer sure advantages compared to traditional surgery.