True duplication of the vas deferens: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Duplication of vas deferens is a rare finding; it is likely under-reported and underrecognized. Failure to recognize this variation can result in injury to the vas deferens or an ineffective vasectomy. Following identification of a suspected duplicated vas deferens, the structure should be tracked from the internal ring down to the epididymis and intra-operative Doppler should be performed. Post-operatively, renal and bladder imaging can be considered though there have been no reported cases of non-testicular genito-urinary anomalies associated with duplicated vas deferens.

Male Genitourinary System

“…The latter is associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis and other genitourinary anomalies. The ectopic ureter may be mistaken for a second vas deferens, but there is no actual duplication of the vas (Liang et al 2012). …”

“…While ipsilateral renal agenesis and other genitourinary anomalies may be associated with a double vas, there are no known cases of non-testicular anomalies associated with duplication of the vas deferens (Liang et al 2012). …”

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

“…It may be encountered during surgery involving the spermatic cord, including inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, radical prostatectomy, varicocelectomy, and vasectomy [1]. While the incidence of the anatomic variant has been estimated to be less than 0.05%, only 28 cases (including ours) have been reported worldwide since 1959 [1–25].…”

“…It may be encountered during surgery involving the spermatic cord, including inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, radical prostatectomy, varicocelectomy, and vasectomy [1]. While the incidence of the anatomic variant has been estimated to be less than 0.05%, only 28 cases (including ours) have been reported worldwide since 1959 [1–25]. Accounting for approximately 50,000 inguinal hernia surgeries performed annually in the United States, with a conservatively estimated anomaly rate of 0.01%, we would expect up to five identified duplicate vas deferens cases per year from hernia repair alone or possibly more when considering other urological surgeries [26].…”

“…True duplication of the vas deferens, first described in the setting of polyorchidism, refers to a duplicate vas deferens within the spermatic cord [1, 27]. Due to the common embryological origin of the renal collecting system and the ejaculatory system, both of which develop from the mesonephric (Wolffian) duct, true duplication of the vas deferens can be confused with ectopic ureters [27–29].…”