Beware the Looping Vas Deferens in Orchidopexy.
A looping vas deferens may be present in up to 20% of undescended testes located within or proximal to the inguinal canal. This associated abnormality is vulnerable to transection during orchidopexy. We present an example of a very long looping vas to emphasize the importance of inspection for this anomaly, and demonstrate the extreme extent that a looping vas may extend. Identification of the vas among cord structures may provide false reassurance of normal ductal anatomy. Examination for a looping vas by inspecting structures caudal to the testis should occur at an early opportunity during orchidopexy to avoid inadvertent transection.
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: thomas.cundy@adelaide.edu.au.
Thomas P
TP
Cundy
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Day Way
DW
Goh
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000601:surgery*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D056126:Orchiopexy; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000002:abnormalities*