Evaluation and management of ectopic penile testis

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Ectopic testes, or undescended testes, are commonly found in the inguinal canal but can present in extratropical locations.
• Testes crossing the midline pose unique anatomical challenges for surgical management.
• Accurate localization of testicular and cord structures is crucial for successful orchiopexy.

Observation:

• A case of an ectopic testis situated on the penile shaft, ipsilateral to a normally scrotal testis, is presented.
• Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed that the cord structures originated from the contralateral inguinal canal, crossing the midline intra-abdominally.
• This anatomical anomaly required a tailored surgical approach.

Findings:

• Diagnostic laparoscopy effectively visualized the intra-abdominal course of the cord structures in a midline-crossing ectopic testis.
• A single high scrotal incision technique facilitated the successful repositioning of the ectopic testis into the scrotum.
• This approach highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic value of laparoscopy in complex ectopic testis cases.

Implications:

• Laparoscopy is a valuable tool for evaluating complex ectopic testes, especially those with midline crossing.
• Understanding the precise anatomy of cord structures is essential for planning surgical correction.
• This case expands the known spectrum of ectopic testis presentations and management strategies.