High scrotal (Bianchi) single-incision orchidopexy: a “tailored” approach to the palpable undescended testis

Our aim was to evaluate the utility of the high scrotal orchidopexy (Bianchi) approach for palpable undescended testis (UDT) and to assess long-term follow-up. We reviewed the records of orchidopexies performed between 1999 and 2002. The patients were then categorized by intraoperative exam under anesthesia as to whether their testes were palpable or nonpalpable. All palpable UDT that were initially thought to be amenable to a single high scrotal approach (Bianchi) were then reviewed. These cases were then analyzed to assess the impact of patient age, initial location of the testis, and prior inguinal/scrotal surgery with respect to the necessity to convert to a standard two-incision technique, and to analyze success and complications at 6–12-week and 1-year follow-up. Two hundred and nineteen orchidopexies were performed on 204 patients over this 4-year period. There were 178 testes palpable, and the transscrotal approach was used in 85 patients (100 orchidopexies). The preoperative positions of the testes that were thought to be amenable to Bianchi technique included the following: gliding (19), secondary trapped (25), superficial inguinal pouch (42), and location within the inguinal canal (2), while the remaining 12 testes were ectopic. Six patients required conversion to a traditional inguinal approach because of insufficient cord length via the single incision to allow the testis to lie in the scrotum. All patent processes vaginalis were ligated via the scrotal incision, regardless of their size. All patients, except for one who had a testis in the superficial inguinal pouch, had palpable testes of stable size and in a dependent position at 6–12-week follow-up. Of the 62 children who returned for 1-year follow-up, all had findings identical to those at their initial 6-week visits, with no atrophy or secondary reascent. Postoperative complications included transient postoperative scrotal hematoma in a single patient. The single failure underwent a successful two-incision orchidopexy for secondary reascent and a resultant trapped testis. Children with primary palpable undescended, gliding, or trapped testes can be managed successfully through the transscrotal route in the majority of cases. With use of a tailored approach to the palpable UDT, an additional groin incision is necessary only for a minority of appropriately selected cases.