Laparoscopy-assisted transinguinal extracorporeal gonadectomy in six patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome

Objective: To describe a new surgical technique to treat prophylactic gonadectomy in patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Six patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome. Intervention(s): Laparoscopy-assisted transinguinal or suprapubic extracorporeal gonadectomy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Accessibility, operation time, and cost-effectiveness. Result(s): Laparoscopy-assisted transinguinal extracorporeal gonadectomy under general anesthesia was performed successfully, with no complications, in all patients as a one-day procedure. The operation times were 12 to 22 minutes (average, 16 minutes). Histopathologic examination revealed testicles in all cases. The cost of each operation was approximately $500 to $1,000. Conclusion(s): Laparoscopy-assisted transinguinal or suprapubic and extracorporeal gonadectomy has several advantages over laparotomy and operative laparoscopy, including short operating time, safety, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. (C) 2003 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.