Partial duplication of vas deferens: How important is it?

Duplicated vas deferens: A case report and comprehensive review of the literature

Duplication of vas deferens is a very rare anomaly which two vasa deferentia are found in the spermatic cord. It can be recognised during autopsy or cadaveric dissection and also several surgical procedures which require spermatic cord dissection including inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, vasectomy, varicocelectomy, vasectomy reversal and radical prostatectomy. Recognition of the duplicated vas deferens is important to avoid surgical complications such as an unsuccessful vasectomy or transection of the vas. It was reported in only three cadavers and 31 patients since 1959. In this study, we describe a new case of duplicated vas deferens found incidentally during routine inguinal hernia repair in a 66-year-old patient. We also review all previously reported cases in the literature to draw attention to this rare but important anomaly.

Duplicated vas deferens as an incidental finding during indirect inguinal hernia repair: A case report and literature review

Duplication of vas deferens is an anomaly that is generally encountered during inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, radical prostatectomy, varicocelectomy, and vasectomy. The estimated rate of this anomaly in the United States is 0.01%. This anomaly may predispose to iatrogenic vas deferens injury during inguinal hernia repair. Embryological point of view suggests that the duplication of the mesonephric duct system could result in duplicated vas deferens. Failure to recognize this anomaly may lead to injury, obstruction, or spermatic granuloma. Furthermore, it is important to identify duplicated vas deferens during vasectomy to avoid failure of the procedure. Identification of duplicated vas deferens is important during inguinal hernia surgery, vasectomy, and varicocelectomy. Herein, we report a case of duplicated vas deferens during open indirect inguinal hernia repair.

Duplicate vas deferens in a 3-year-old boy: a case report and review of paediatric literature

Background

Congenital abnormalities of the vas deferens are very uncommon. Duplicate vas deferens is a rare abnormality. It is the presence of two separate vasa deferentia within one spermatic cord. It has been encountered during inguinal hernia repair, orchidopexy, varicocoelectomy, vasectomy and radical prostatectomy. Identification of the vas deferens is mandatory during surgeries involving manipulation of the spermatic cord because if duplication exists and is not detected, there is increased chance of iatrogenic injury.

Case presentation

We present a 3-year-old boy with duplicate vas deferens identified during herniotomy for a right hydrocele. A postoperative abdominopelvic ultrasound scan revealed no abnormalities.

Conclusion

The risk of iatrogenic injury to the vas is increased in the presence of a duplication. A deliberate identification of the vas during procedures involving manipulation of the spermatic cord reduces this risk.

Duplicate Vas Deferens Encountered during Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Case Report and Literature Review

Duplication of the vas deferens is a rare anomaly, defined as the presence of two distinct vasa deferentia within one spermatic cord, with only 28 cases reported worldwide since 1959. We report the case of a 63-year-old man with a duplicate vas deferens, presenting with abdominal pain from bowel obstruction secondary to incarcerated inguinal hernia. Spermatic cord dissection during hernioplasty revealed duplication of the vas deferens within the right spermatic cord. Doppler ultrasonography confirmed absence of waveforms in both vasa deferentia with arterial signal in the accompanying vessel. The hernia was repaired without complication. This report emphasizes recognition of duplicate vas deferens in avoiding iatrogenic injury and optimizing surgical outcome.

Unilateral duplication of vas deferens: a cadaveric case report

Duplication of vas deferens is a rare congenital anomaly. All previously reported cases of this rare anomaly were identified during procedures such as orchiepexy, inguinal hernia repair, vasectomy, varicocoelectomy, and radical prostatectomy. Here, we report a case of unilateral duplicated vas deferens noted in an adult cadaver during regular dissection for medical students. The right spermatic cord contained 2 separate and completely developed cord-like structures. Both cords communicated separately with the tail of the epididymis. When traced cranially, both traversed the inguinal canal as content of the spermatic cord and finally fused at the level of the deep inguinal ring. No other variations were found in the testis or epididymis, and no variations were seen in the left spermatic cord. In addition, no associated renal abnormalities were noted.

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

INTRODUCTION

Isolated duplication of vas deferens is a rare anomaly with only eleven cases reported in medical literature. Unawareness regarding this rare anomaly can lead to inadvertent injury to the vas during inguinal hernia surgery or failure of vasectomy procedure.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 27-year-old gentleman was diagnosed with isolated duplication of vas during left sided open inguinal hernia surgery. He had no other genito-urinary anomaly. Patient had an uneventful recovery from surgery.

CONCLUSION

It is a rare anomaly and unawareness regarding this condition can lead to catastrophic consequences during inguinal hernia and vasectomy surgeries.