Partial duplication of vas deferens: How important is it?

Abstract

This study reports a 1-year-old boy with unilateral partial duplication of vas deferens, diagnosed during surgery for undescended testis. Pediatric surgeons need to be aware of this kind of anomaly in order to avoid injury to this vital structure.

Duplication of vas deferens—A rare anomaly with review of literature

“…One case each was diagnosed during surgery for undescended testis, carcinoma of prostate and ectopic ureter. 1 …”

“…1,9 Identification of the vas deferens during exploration of the cord for a hernia sac therefore is mandatory in order to prevent its iatrogenic injury.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] The vas deferens develops from the proximal vas precursor (PVP). It occupies an intermediate position between the upper and common mesonephric ducts and differentiates in to the vas deferens and seminal vesicles.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Duplication of vas is usually associated with other renal anomalies like unilateral renal agenesis. 1,2,7 Open hernia surgery is one of the commonest surgical procedures performed the world over and injury to the vas deferens is a known complication. This case emphasizes the importance of identifying the vas deferens during open inguinal hernia surgery to prevent inadvertent damage to the VD.…”

Male Genitourinary System

“…Duplication of the proximal vas precursor is thought to lead to duplication of the vas. It is also thought that transverse division of the Wolffian duct during organogenesis leads to this condition (Khoudary and Morgentaler 1998;Karaman et al 2010). …”