title: A case of congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens occurs in 0.5%-1.0% of males. It has been associated with various genitourinary abnormalities, including renal agenesis. We report a case of congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens found incidentally during vasectomy in a patient with known unilateral renal agenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 24-year-old male presented to our urology clinic requesting vasectomy. His past history was significant for left renal agenesis. Following successful right vasectomy, several attempts to locate the left vas deferens were unsuccessful. We diagnosed congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens. Follow-up semen analysis showed azoospermia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As vasectomies are increasingly performed in outpatient settings, it is imperative that physicians be aware of this condition, which can be recognized by a simple physical exam. Recognition could prevent unnecessary surgery and prompt providers to investigate for associated abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA.
authors.forename: Bi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.forename: Vishnu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Garla
authors.forename: Lawrence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wyner
keywords: abnormalities; embryology; surgery; vas deferens