A novel technique in the management of crossed testicular ectopia in children

Abstract

Background: Crossed testicular ectopia (CTE) is an extremely rare anomaly of urogenital development in which both testes are migrated and descend through a single inguinal canal, one or both testes may be ectopic in the abdomen, the inguinal region or descent to the hemi-scrotum with empty contralateral hemi-scrotum. The etiopathogenic mechanism of CTE is still unknown. CTE was classified into three types based on the associated findings. Most of the cases were found associated with other abnormality such as Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome, Inguinal hernia, Hermaphroditism, and other scrotal abnormality. The condition is mostly detected incidentally during repair of inguinal hernia or laparoscopic evaluation of impalpable undescended testis. We present our experience in management of seven cases with CTE including a novel technique named ''Arabic eight figure orchiopexy''. Conclusions: CTE should be considered in children presented with unilateral inguinal hernia or hydrocele with empty contralateral hemiscrotum. We present a novel technique in management of CTE named ''Arabic eight figure orchiopexy''.

Keywords

• Crossed testicular ectopia
• Inguinal hernia Undescended testes Orchiopexy
• Müllerian remnants
• Empty scrotum
• Genital ridge
• Trans-septal orchiopexy