Purpose: We present a minimally invasive endoscopic approach for the treatment of persisting mesonephric duct in male infants.
Materials and methods: Five male infants 2 to 8 months old were referred with a history of recurrent sepsis, epididymo-orchitis and anorectal malformation that was treated elsewhere with initial colostomy. All infants had edematous unilateral testes, fever and poor feeding. Urine and blood cultures yielded the same microorganisms. All infections occurred while the infants were on regimens of prophylactic antibiotics. Comprehensive urological evaluations confirmed ipsilateral renal agenesis, sacral hypoplasia (3 patients), high anorectal malformation, and vesicovasal and vesicoureteral reflux.
Results: All 5 infants underwent urethrocystoscopy under general anesthesia. The ectopic persisting mesonephric duct entered the bladder neck and proximal prostatic urethra. Injection of 0.4 to 0.7 ml Urocol, used as a bulking agent, was administered submucosally at the opening of the persisting mesonephric duct. In 1 patient the orifice of the anomalous duct was not found during urethrocystoscopy, and ipsilateral vas ligation by titanium clips was performed. The results in the remaining 4 patients were excellent, and no further episodes of epididymitis were observed during a mean followup of 30 months.
Conclusions: The diagnosis of persisting mesonephric duct should be considered in a male child with anorectal anomalies and recurrent epididymo-orchitis, and can be confirmed by radiological studies and cystoscopy. Endoscopic treatment of this anomaly should be considered first line therapy in these patients. However, surgical intervention is mandatory for children not responding to the procedure.