Testicular Ectopia in a Child's Anterior Abdominal Wall: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND Ectopic testis is an uncommon congenital anomaly that has been reported in different sites in the body. The anterior abdominal wall is an exceptionally rare variant site for ectopic testis. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the importance of being aware of this rare clinical entity, thereby increasing the chance of preserving an ectopic testis. In addition, this case report shows how a laparoscopic approach is advantageous for better localizing and treating such rare cases, as this is the first reported case of such a condition to be managed with a laparoscopic approach. CASE REPORT This is a rare case of testicular ectopia in an unclassified abdominal wall defect mimicking a Spigelian hernia that occurred in a 1.5-year-old boy. He presented with congenital swelling of the right lower abdominal wall and an empty right hemiscrotum. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed and the intraoperative findings suggested right testicular ectopia in the anterior abdominal wall defect. The right testis was herniated through an abnormal, unclassified, abdominal wall defect with both a closed inguinal ring and no defect in the semilunar line. Using a laparoscopic approach, the ectopic testis and hernia were managed successfully with primary hernia repair and single-stage orchidopexy. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful. At his 10-month follow-up appointment, he had no evidence of hernia recurrence. CONCLUSIONS As demonstrated in this case, laparoscopic surgery, which has not been used in previously reported cases of ectopic testis, aids in proper localization and repair of an anterior abdominal wall defect along with orchidopexy.