OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy for palpable undescended testes in children.
METHODS: We prospectively studied patients with undescended testes between July 2021 and June 2022. In total, 223 patients were included in our study: 105 underwent single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy and 118 underwent conventional laparoscopic orchiopexy. During single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy, 3 ports were inserted within the umbilicus.
RESULTS: No differences were observed between the groups in terms of age and laterality. For unilateral undescended testes, the operating time was longer in the single site group than in the conventional group at the early stages (55.31 ± 12.04 min vs. 48.14 ± 14.39 min, P = 0.007), but it was similar to the conventional group at the later stages (48.82 ± 13.49 min vs. 48.14 ± 14.39 min, P = 0.78). Testicular ascent occurred in one patient from each group. There was no significant difference in the success rate between the single-site group and the conventional group (99.0% vs. 99.2%, P = 0.93). In the single-site group, no visible abdominal scarring was observed, while in the conventional group, there were two noticeable scars on the abdomen.
CONCLUSIONS: Single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy offers superior cosmetic results and comparable success rates compared to conventional laparoscopic orchiopexy for palpable undescended testes.

Background: Can laparoscopic orchiopexy achieve a better testicular position and a higher success rate than open orchiopexy for palpable undescended testis in children? We conducted a prospective comparison study with a large volume of cases to answer this question. Methods: A total of 256 patients with palpable undescended testis who were admitted between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 were included in this study. Among them, 124 patients underwent laparoscopic orchiopexy and 132 patients underwent open inguinal orchiopexy. The outcome evaluated index included final testicular position, success rate, and complications. Results: Of 256 patients, the mean age was 2.4 years; 218 patients had unilateral palpable testis, and the other 38 patients had bilateral palpable testis. There were no significant differences between laparoscopic orchiopexy group and open orchiopexy group with respect to age, side, preoperative testicular position, and testicular volume. The final testicular position in laparoscopic group was better than that in open group (lower position rate: 89.3% versus 77.9%, P = .01). There was no significant difference in success rate (laparoscopic group: 100%; and open group: 98.5%). There were 3 complications in the laparoscopic group and 6 complications in open group (P > .05). No testicular atrophy was found in either group. No testicular ascent occurred in laparoscopic group while there were 2 cases in open group, which required additional surgery for correction. Of patients who underwent surgery at the age of 3 years or older (n = 75), laparoscopic surgery was associated with markedly better testicular position than open surgery (lower position rate: 88.1% versus 69.6%, P = .03). Conclusions: Laparoscopic orchiopexy is associated with better testicular position and comparable success rate comparing to open orchiopexy for palpable undescended testis in children. This procedure could be recommended for palpable undescended testis, especially in older children.