Laparoscopy for localization of nonpalpable testes.

Laparoscopy was performed on 33 consecutive boys with 36 nonpalpable testes whenever 1 or both testes were not palpable, a patient with bilateral nonpalpable testes was known to have responded to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation and orchiopexy or orchiectomy was planned. Anatomic localization of nonpalpable testes facilitated accurate planning of operative repair, thereby potentially improving the ultimate result. Additionally, the technique rendered exploration unnecessary in patients with the intra-abdominal vanishing testis syndrome. No complications were noted as a result of laparoscopy in these patients.