Supernumerary testis or polyorchidism: A rare urogenital anomaly (case report and literature review).

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Polyorchidism, or supernumerary testis, is a rare urogenital congenital disorder. Because of its rarity, there is no approved standard treatment protocol for preserving or removing the extra testicle, yet orchiopexy is frequently performed as a preferred treatment in most medical facilities.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a 23-year-old single male with a bilaterally empty scrotum. He was unaware of his condition and had not seen a doctor before being admitted to our surgical unit. During his younger sibling's circumcision by a local circumcisionist (a medical staff member, idealy a nurse, whose duty is to perform circumcision, preferably at home), he saw something different (his emptey scrotum) and came to us with his problem. Laboratory findings revealed severe oligospermia, and tumor markers (Alpha fetoprotein, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase) were negative for malignancy. The patient underwent bilateral herniorrhaphy and orchiopexy of all six testicles (three in each inguinal canal) and had an uneventful recovery.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

As polyorchidism is not a common problem, its management remains a contentious issue due to the lack of evidence-based consensus. However, with the introduction of new imaging modalities and on-table frozen section biopsy, the decision to continue with orchiopexy or orchiectomy can be easily justified; however, conservative treatment is preferable in cases of no coexisting anomalies, particularly cryptorchidism.

CONCLUSION

Polyorchidism could run unnoticed for years, especially if there is no direct and consistent access to a medical facility. In cases where polyorchidism is detected accidentally by imaging or during surgical exploration, the treatment must be justified accordingly.