Laparoscopic Orchidopexy after 4 Weeks of Testicular Traction with Preservation of Blood Supply: A New Concept for the Treatment of Intra-Abdominal Cryptorchidism: Original Article

Background: Testicular atrophy is recurrent after orchidopexy for intra-abdominal cryptorchidism due to damage to vessels. Fowlers-Stephens and Shehata methods proposed staged orchidopexy, but are still associated to a rate of atrophy greater than 10%. Purpose: We set out to present a new technique that preserves testicular vessels. Our study is aimed at investigating testicular vitality after surgery. Patients and Method: We reviewed files of boys who underwent orchidopexy for 2 years in our department. Those who have been operated for intra-abdominal cryptorchidism with the new technique and aged between 6 months and 14 years old were included in our study. We excluded boys who have been operated before 6 months and after 14 years old and those who did not respect their follow-up plane. Ultrasound (US) outcomes were used to measure testicular volumes and blood flow at each postoperative visit. The Sample population was divided into group A and group B representing testes that were followed respectively for 12 and 24 months. Results: 22 boys with 25 testes were included in our study; 11 testes in group A and 14 testes in group B. In each group, we noted a significant difference of UDT volumes from the third month after surgery with respective P-values < 0.05. There was no statistical difference between UDT and contra lateral testes volumes 12 months after surgery in group A and 24 months in group B with respective P-values of 0.07 and 0.72. All volume differential indexes were <27% and total volume lost by each testis was <80%. Conclusion: This method offers a new perspective in performing safe orchidopexy for intra abdominal undescended testes.