Minimally invasive surgery via small incision in the scrotum for cryptorchidism

  Cryptorchidism requires surgical treatment with the goal of lowering and securing the testicle that has not descended into place into the scrotum to create an adaptive environment for its further development. There are several options for the surgical incision. The classical and traditional procedure is to make an incision in the groin (i.e., below the lower abdomen) and a second incision in the scrotum. For cryptorchidism located in the abdominal cavity, laparoscopic surgery can be performed, usually by making three small holes in the abdomen, laparoscopically completing the vascular release of the spermatic cord, and then making an incision in the scrotum to introduce the testicle into the scrotum and secure it. There is also a minimally invasive small incision procedure advocated by Bianchi, a foreign scholar. This method only makes a small incision through the scrotum, and the incision is located on the skin of the scrotum with folds, which is very concealed and does not affect the aesthetics after healing, and is covered by pubic hair in adulthood. Recently, our department has adopted this minimally invasive procedure to treat cryptorchidism and achieved good results, which is very popular among parents.  In clinical practice, the doctor needs to choose which incision to adopt to meet the treatment and aesthetic requirements according to the specific conditions of the child (such as testicular location and age).