Background: We investigated the risk factors influencing ascending testis following laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) for inguinal hernia or hydrocele.
Methods: Boys undergoing LPEC between 2014 and 2018 had their medical records and operative movies reviewed. Group A patients required orchiopexy after LPEC. Group B patients did not. Their baseline characteristics were reviewed. The path of the LPEC needle (not crossing the spermatic duct at first circuit [Not Crossing]), whether the second entry of the LPEC needle was different from the first hole (Different Hole), peritoneal injury requiring re-ligation (Re-ligation), and hematoma (Hematoma) were evaluated. The quantitative factors of significant difference were set as a cut-off value.
Results: There were 5 patients (7 sides) in Group A and 162 patients (237 sides) in Group B. Birth weight was lower in Group A (p = 0.035). Not Crossing was 7 sides (100%) in Group A and 97 sides (41%) in Group B (p = 0.002). Hematoma was 2 sides (29%) in Group A and 11 sides (5%) in Group B (p = 0.047). Cut-off value of birth weight was 932 g (AUC 0.78).
Conclusion: Birth weight < 932 g and operative findings (not crossing over the spermatic duct on the first circuit and hematoma) indicated an increased risk of ascending testis after LPEC.
Keywords: Ascending testis; Inguinal hernia; Laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC); Postoperative complication.