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WJOLS
Laparoscopic Orchidopexy without Division of Spermatic Vessels using a Neoinguinal Canal Approach
cell deficiency in cryptorchidism was previously regarded testes so intimately related to Fowler-Stephens technique.
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as congenital. It has been observed that the histology of And specially with the use of laparoscopy where extensive
the testis is initially normal and becomes progressively retroperitoneal dissection can be carried out under
abnormal with age. magnification and using the neo-inguinal ring we can easily
More detailed studies showed impaired Leydig cells mobilize all the testes to the scrotum without the need of
development in undescended testes in the first 2 to 6 months, division of spermatic vessels. Although the number
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whereas the Sertoli and germ cells appeared normal. By of patients in our series is relatively small, our excellent
the end of the second year of life, nearly 40% of undescended success rate makes this procedure good alternative to the
testes had completely lost their germ cells. They concluded routine Fowler-Stephens procedure in patients with an
that germ cell deficiency in undescended testis is abdominal testis.
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secondary. In previous generations, it was believed that
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World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery, September-December 2013;6(3):121-126 125