BMC Pediatr. 2026 Jun 4. doi: 10.1186/s12887-026-07036-6. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of single-port transscrotal laparoscopic orchiopexy combined with a hernia needle (SPLT-Orchiopexy) in children with palpable middle- and low-position undescended testes.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 200 children with palpable middle- and low-position undescended testes who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between March 2021 and April 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the surgical technique used: the conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS, n = 120) group and the SP-Orchiopexy group (n = 80). Perioperative indicators, postoperative pain assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale. Scar outcomes at 6 months postoperatively were evaluated using the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS) and the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), which were compared between two groups. The incidence of postoperative complications was also compared between groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with postoperative complications.
RESULTS: The SPLT-Orchiopexy group showed significantly shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, earlier ambulation, and shorter length of hospital stay (t = 11.15-16.91, all P < 0.001). FLACC scores at 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively were significantly lower in the SPLT-Orchiopexy group (Z = 4.67-6.91, all P < 0.001). At 6-month follow-up, both OSAS and PSAS scores were lower in the SPLT-Orchiopexy group (Z/t = 7.31-7.65, all P < 0.001). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the SPLT-Orchiopexy group (χ² = 4.68, P = 0.031). The surgical approach did not reach statistical significance as an independent predictor of postoperative complications, but it demonstrated a trend toward reduced complication risk (Wald = 1.49, P = 0.222).
CONCLUSION: SPLT-Orchiopexy may provide advantages in terms of minimal invasiveness, postoperative recovery, pain relief, cosmetic outcomes, and postoperative complications in children with palpable middle- and low-position undescended testes. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.
PMID:42243819 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-026-07036-6
