Ahmed Abdelhalim1, Joshua D Chamberlin2, Irene Young2, Miriam Fahim3, Kai-Wen Chuang2, Irene M McAleer2, Elias Wehbi2, Heidi A Stephany2, Antoine E Khoury2. 1. Department of Urology of the University of California, Irvine and the Children's Hospital of Orange County, CA; Department of Urology, Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. Electronic address: a_halim_2010@yahoo.com. 2. Department of Urology of the University of California, Irvine and the Children's Hospital of Orange County, CA. 3. Eastern Virginia Medical School, VA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of testicular vessel division on testicular volume during laparoscopic staged Fowler Stephens orchiopexy (LSFSO). METHODS: Testicular dimensions were prospectively measured intraoperatively at both first (S1) and second stages (S2) of LSFSO, and with scrotal ultrasound 3-12 months postoperatively. Testicular volumes were compared to reference ranges. Volume changes were tracked with a change of >20% considered clinically significant. RESULTS: A total of 52 nonpalpable testes treated with LSFSO between 2008 and 2018 were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 6.8 (3-91.3) months, 46 (88.5%) testes were palpable in a scrotal location without adjunctive procedures and 39 (75%) maintained vascular flow on duplex ultrasound. One testis retracted to an inguinal position and was successfully treated with inguinal orchiopexy for an overall success of 90.4% (47/52). Of 36 testes with intra- and postoperative testicular volume documentation, only 2 (5.6%) had significant volume loss after S1. Both testes had catch-up growth after S2. Eight (22.2%) testes had significant volume loss after S2. At follow-up, 24 (66.7%) testes were smaller than the mean for age, of which 20 (83.3%) were small at baseline. Only 41.7% of testes larger than mean for age at follow-up, were small at baseline (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Significant testicular volume loss does not occur after testicular vessel division at S1, but expected in approximately 1 quarter of testes after S2. We propose that testicular atrophy after LSFSO is primarily due to defective testicular development and rarely due to vascular compromise during S2.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of testicular vessel division on testicular volume during laparoscopic staged Fowler Stephens orchiopexy (LSFSO). METHODS: Testicular dimensions were prospectively measured intraoperatively at both first (S1) and second stages (S2) of LSFSO, and with scrotal ultrasound 3-12 months postoperatively. Testicular volumes were compared to reference ranges. Volume changes were tracked with a change of >20% considered clinically significant. RESULTS: A total of 52 nonpalpable testes treated with LSFSO between 2008 and 2018 were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 6.8 (3-91.3) months, 46 (88.5%) testes were palpable in a scrotal location without adjunctive procedures and 39 (75%) maintained vascular flow on duplex ultrasound. One testis retracted to an inguinal position and was successfully treated with inguinal orchiopexy for an overall success of 90.4% (47/52). Of 36 testes with intra- and postoperative testicular volume documentation, only 2 (5.6%) had significant volume loss after S1. Both testes had catch-up growth after S2. Eight (22.2%) testes had significant volume loss after S2. At follow-up, 24 (66.7%) testes were smaller than the mean for age, of which 20 (83.3%) were small at baseline. Only 41.7% of testes larger than mean for age at follow-up, were small at baseline (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Significant testicular volume loss does not occur after testicular vessel division at S1, but expected in approximately 1 quarter of testes after S2. We propose that testicular atrophy after LSFSO is primarily due to defective testicular development and rarely due to vascular compromise during S2.