Impalpable testes: observations based on 208 consecutive operations for undescended testes.

A personal series of consecutive explorations for undescended testes is presented, with particular emphasis on the impalpable testis. It is concluded that without preoperative radiographs an exploration through an inguinal skin incision for either unilateral or bilateral undescended testes will 1) allow for correction of the usually present patent processus vaginalis peritonei, 2) provide for identification of either a testis or blind-ending spermatic vessels and 3) give adequate exposure for the accomplishment of a single stage orchiopexy if indicated regardless of the location of the testis.