High Undescended Testis Treatment with Distal Espermatic Vessel Ligation (Koff-Sethi Technique)

Objectives: To evaluate the results obtained with the technique of distal spermatic vessel ligation in children with upper or intra-abdominal undescended testis. Methods: Analysis of cryptorchid patients treated with Koff-Sethi technique for orquiopexy. Patient series: 15 children with unior bilateral cryptorchidism. Postoperative gonad viability was evaluated on the basis of clinical data, physical examination and testicular scintigraphy. Results: Mean age was 5.4 years. Cryptorchidism was unilateral in 10/15 (67%) patients and bilateral in 5/15 (33%). The total number of testicles operated was 25. Of these, 19/25 (76%) required ligation of the spermatic vessels performed according to the Koff-Sethi technique. Eighteen (98%) gonads remained well positioned in the scrotum and one remained in a high position. Late evaluation revealed that 14/19 (74%) testicles had normal consistency and volume upon palpation and 3/19 (16%) were atrophic. Two patients did not return for late reevaluation. Scintigraphy demonstrated good testicular perfusion in 14/17 (82%) gonads evaluated. The patient with bilateral ligation of the spermatic vessels had good perfusion in both gonads. Conclusions: Distal spermatic vessel ligation (Koff-Sethi technique) is safe and useful for the treatment of high cryptorchid testicles.