Use of tunica vaginalis patch graft for repair of traumatic testicular rupture.

Early exploration of patients with testicular rupture has become the standard of care in traumatic testicular injuries. We report on a case of traumatic rupture of the testicle diagnosed by ultrasonography, with a large testicular defect that could not be closed primarily. This was managed successfully with a free graft of tunica vaginalis. The affected testicle is palpably normal three months postoperatively. This technique may represent a valuable adjunct in managing major testicular ruptures.     

A case of testicular rupture

A case of testicular rupture is reported. A 26-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of testicular trauma. Ultrasound of the testis was performed preoperatively. Ultrasonography revealed a disruption of the tunica albuginea and dense clusters of echoes in the tunica vaginalis. In the case of acute testicular trauma, this echo pattern suggests testicular rupture.     

Use of a polytetrafluoroethylene tube graft as a circumferential neotunica during placement of a penile prosthesis.

Various techniques have evolved for augmentation of the tunica albuginea in cases when tunical tissue has been found deficient during penile prosthesis implantation. An intraoperative situation occurred in which the size of the tunical defect did not permit primary tunical closure or allow for approximation by placement of a tunical patch graft. In this case, to ensure satisfactory insertion of a penile prosthesis a polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) tube graft was used as a circumferential neotunica.     

Tunica vaginalis for correcting penile chordee in a rabbit model: is there a difference in flap versus graft?

PURPOSE: We compared tunica vaginalis applied as a flap versus a graft for covering defects in the ventral tunica albuginea in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 18 New Zealand White rabbits in the study. The urethra was mobilized off of the corpus cavernosum. A defect was created in the ventral aspect of the tunica albuginea by excising a 1 x 0.5 cm. rectangular area. The defect was covered by the testicular surface of tunica vaginalis as a vascularized flap in 9 animals and as a graft in 9. At 2, 6 and 12-week intervals 3 animals per group were sacrificed. Transverse sections of the penis at the repair site were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson's trichrome for microscopy. RESULTS: Autopsy revealed no contracture in any of the tunica vaginalis flaps. In contrast, the tunica vaginalis grafts had contracted by a mean of 22% (range 20% to 25%) at 2, 38% (range 30% to 44%) at 6 and 42% (range 38% to 48%) at 12 weeks. Microscopic examination of the tunica vaginalis flaps showed evidence of an intact blood supply and viable cremasteric muscle layer but no evidence of necrosis. Collagen remodeling and maturation was noted at 12 weeks. In tunica vaginalis grafts there was evidence of necrosis of all tunica vaginalis layers at 2 weeks with granulation tissue and active fibrosis at the periphery. At 6 and 12 weeks most necrotic tissue was replaced by fibrosis. Osseous metaplasia was identified in 1 graft at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal use of tunica vaginalis for correction of chordee is as a flap rather than as a free graft. Grafts were associated with significant necrosis and contracture, of which neither was associated with flaps.     

带蒂包皮皮瓣联合睾丸鞘膜治疗长段前尿道狭窄1例报告并文献复习

目的:探讨尿道狭窄的治疗方法。方法:对1例前尿道狭窄患者的治疗过程进行回顾,结合相关文献总结尿道狭窄的临床治疗。结果:本例患者术中经过顺利,术后恢复良好,未见尿瘘、尿道狭窄等常见并发症。结论:睾丸鞘膜作为尿道替代物临床可行,选择合适的尿道成形替代物是手术成功与否的关键。     

URETHRAL REPLACEMENT WITH VASCULARIZED TUNICA VAGINALIS: DEFINING THE OPTIMAL FORM OF USE

Purpose

Residual urethral defects after failed hypospadias surgery present difficulties in reconstruction. In these situations, repair using vascularized tissue flaps remains ideal, yet challenging. In order to offer more surgical alternatives in these cases, the use of vascularized tunica vaginalis flaps as urethral replacements has recently been established in an animal model. We undertook the following studies to further define the role of tunica vaginalis in urethral reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

A vascularized flap of tunica vaginalis was used to replace an experimentally created 25-30 mm. gap in the anterior urethra of 26 rabbits, either as an onlay or tube flap. A control group consisting of 7 animals underwent only a segmental anterior urethral resection and primary re-anastomosis.

Results

Satisfactory urethral healing occurred in all control animals that survived the procedure. All 8 animals which had tunica vaginalis tube flap reconstruction underwent contracture of the neourethra probably secondary to the presence of striated cremasteric muscle elements brought with the tunica during mobilization. All 16 animals available for long term study in the onlay flap group had excellent flap viability and 100% urethral patency rates. The mesothelial lining of the tunica was seen to be replaced by a stratified epithelial lining similar to the urothelial lining of the native urethra.

Conclusion

The tunica vaginalis is a viable alternative to other tissues presently used for urethral replacement and can be used successfully as a vascularized onlay flap.     

带蒂睾丸鞘膜瓣代尿道治疗尿道下裂合并睾丸鞘膜积液(附9例报告)

目的:探讨尿道下裂合并睾丸鞘膜积液的治疗方法。方法:对9例2～12岁尿道下裂合并睾丸鞘膜积液患儿行带蒂睾丸鞘膜瓣代尿道术。结果:①效果满意者7例,均正位开口排尿,切口无感染,术后7～10d出院;②较满意者1例,局部感染,尿道外口狭窄,行尿道扩张后,排尿通畅;③不满意者1例,发生尿瘘,为阴囊型。结论:带蒂睾丸鞘膜瓣代尿道术疗效满意,手术创伤小、取材方便、组织修复迅速,对合并有睾丸鞘膜积液的尿道下裂患者值得推广。     

Outcome of hypospadias fistula repair

Objectives To examine the long-term results of hypospadias fistula repair, the factors involved in recurrence and the outcome in cases where this has occurred. Patients and methods The study comprised 113 children undergoing urethrocutaneous fistula repair between 1984 and 1996. Most of the fistulae were closed in two to three layers, with or without a transpositional skin flap. Tunica vaginalis or a scrotal dartos flap was used in patients with inadequate vascularized tissue adjacent to the fistula. Success rates were calculated for each attempt at fistula repair until the patient was cured. Results The median (range) age at primary fistula repair was 40 (18-169) months and the median follow-up after the most recent repair 7.5 (2.3-17) years. The overall success rate of primary fistula repair was 71%. Fistulae which were >2 mm (11 of 21, 52%) were more likely to recur than were those < or = 2 mm (22 of 92, 24%). Recurrence did not relate to the initial form of hypospadias repair, to the means of skin closure nor, with the exception of multiple lesions, to the location of the fistula. The success rates of subsequent repairs were 70% at the second and 50% at the third, fourth and fifth repairs. One child was cured at the sixth attempt. The use of tunica vaginalis or scrotal dartos as a 'waterproofing' layer was limited to the third or subsequent repairs and was successful in five of six cases. Conclusion A simple layered closure with or with no transpositional skin flap is effective in 71% of repairs. For recurrent fistulae, tissues from an unscarred area (tunica vaginalis or scrotal dartos layer) should be used to cover the fistula.     

睾丸鞘膜移植治疗前尿道长段狭窄的远期疗效分析

目的 探讨睾丸鞘膜替代尿道治疗前尿道长段狭窄的方法.方法 40例前尿道长段狭窄患者采用带蒂的睾丸鞘膜代尿道一期尿道成形术治疗,术后随访时分别行逆行尿道造影和尿流率检查.结果 本组40例手术一次性成功,术后3周拔除尿管,平均随访24个月,术后测定平均最大尿流率明显高于术前.结论 带蒂睾丸鞘膜可作为良好的尿道替代物,手术创伤小,取材方便,组织修复快,对长段前尿道狭窄是一种行之有效的方法.     

Testicular rupture following rubber bullet trauma case report

Following civil unrest during 2020, physicians began to notice a variety of injuries resulting from crowd control weapons. While prior research emphasized ocular trauma, genitourinary complications of injuries have yet to be investigated. A previously healthy 27-year-old male presented to the emergency department due to sudden onset of severe left testicular pain following rubber bullet trauma. Physical exam showed extreme tenderness, abrasion, contusion, and edema of the left testicle with normal right testicle. Doppler ultrasound showed minimal blood flow to the superior pole with irregularity of the tunica albuginea. Surgery confirmed testicular rupture with a large tunical violation and extruded spermatic tubules. The testicle was thoroughly irrigated, non-viable tubules were debrided, and intraoperative ultrasound confirmed restoration of blood flow. Patient was discharged and instructed to follow-up should he face any fertility concerns in the future. Current crowd control guidelines state projectiles should be aimed at the lower abdomen or extremities; however, projectiles can cause testicular trauma which may lead to hypogonadism, infection, and psychological impact. Until there are changes to methods of crowd control, attendees should consider the use of athletic cups.     

Tube-onlay-tube tunica vaginalis flap for proximal primary and reoperative adult hypospadias

PURPOSE: We describe the surgical technique of and report the results in the first 20 patients who underwent combined onlay-tube construction of a tunica vaginalis flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We repaired 20 cases of proximal primary (8) and repeat (12), adult hypospadias using a tube-onlay in 4, an onlay-tube in 3, a tube-onlay-tube in 9 and an onlay-tube-onlay in 4. In 15 patients contralateral tunica vaginalis was used as a blanket wrap. Three to 6 months postoperatively after obtaining informed consent retrograde urethrography, cystourethroscopy, uroflowmetry and urethral biopsy were done in 20, 17, 10 and 13 patients, respectively. RESULTS: No fistula or diverticulum developed. Complications occurred in 3 patients (15%), including urethral stricture, meatal stenosis and urethral stricture, and meatal regression and urethral stricture in 1 each. All strictures occurred in the distal urethra in reoperative cases. At long-term followup there was no recurrent stricture or meatal stenosis after internal urethrotomy and dilation. Urethral biopsy in all 13 patients showed a stratified epithelium indistinguishable from native urethra. The reasons for delayed presentation include perceiving hypospadias as a normal variation (paribor or cut by angels), losing hope for a cure after multiple failed repairs, being told by urologists that repair is futile and pressure by wives for cosmetic or fertility reasons. CONCLUSIONS: The place of tunica vaginalis in hypospadias surgery is more than coverage for urethroplasty. It can be successfully used for substitution urethroplasty. As an extension to the principles of the onlay flap and the concept of urethral plate preservation, combined onlay-tube constructions of tunica vaginalis, including a tube-onlay-tube flap, are successfully applicable to proximal hypospadias, especially in reoperative cases. Urothelialization of the tunica vaginalis occurs within months of surgery.     

The "window" orchidopexy for prevention of testicular torsion.

Torsion of the testicle is often due to the "bell-clapper" deformity. This deformity is frequently bilateral. Prevention of future episodes of torsion depends upon the creation of a broad area of dense adhesion between the tunica albuginea and the scrotal wall. The results of this study indicate that this may be best accomplished by creating a window in the tunical vaginalis so that during healing a broad area of the tunica albuginea is held in apposition to a raw surface devoid of tunica vaginalis. Simply suturing the testical to the wall of the hemiscrotum does not always result in permanent fixation.     

睾丸钟摆畸形与睾丸扭转22例报告

目的 提高对睾丸钟摆畸形（bell-clapper deformity，BCD）的认识，探讨鞘膜内睾丸扭转的解剖和发病特点。方法 回顾性分析22例间歇性睾丸疼痛病例，年龄7～23岁，平均17岁。左侧18例、右侧4例。其中睾丸扭转坏死16例、睾丸大小正常4例、左侧睾丸萎缩2例。结果 22例解剖上均有钟摆畸形即睾丸缺乏正常鞘膜的包裹，睾丸引带缺如，缺乏与壁层鞘膜的粘连，鞘膜腔大，鞘膜在精索上的止点较高，精索活动度较大。16例睾丸坏死或萎缩者行病侧睾丸切除，对侧睾丸固定；6例间歇性睾丸疼痛患者作双侧睾丸探查及固定。22例随访6个月～10年，平均4年9个月，均无睾丸疼痛症状。结论 应高度重视间歇性睾丸疼痛患者，提高间歇期或扭转早期的诊断率，在睾丸未发生扭转坏死之前及时行双侧睾丸探查及固定术，减少睾丸坏死率。     

Fibrous pseudotumor of the vaginalis testis: report of a case

In this study, the authors have reported a case of a benign fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis testis in a 24-year old man who was admitted with a left scrotal mass. Scrotal ultrasound and surgical investigation demonstrated the presence of a left testicular tumor; radical orchiectomy was performed by inguinal route. Microscopic examination revealed a pseudotumor of the testicular tunica vaginalis. As this is an uncommon lesion and preoperative diagnosis is difficult, unnecessary radical orchidectomy is often carried out.     

Novel technique for correcting penile curvature with severe hypospadias; Ventral lengthening with tunica vaginalis flap patching

The adequate correction of penile curvature is essential for successful hypospadias surgery. We describe a novel technique to correct severe penile curvature with a tunica vaginalis flap on the penile ventrum. We applied a tunica vaginalis flap to lengthen the ventral aspect of the tunica albuginea in two boys with significant curvature and proximal hypospadias. Tunica vaginalis flap patching to the ventral aspect of the penis is safe and technically feasible. If penile curvature is severe or the penis is small in hypospadiac patients, lengthening the ventral aspect using a tunica vaginalis flap is likely to expand instead of dorsal plication or ventral graft.     

Diffuse fibrous proliferation of tunica vaginalis associated with testicular infarction: a case report.

Fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis testis is an uncommon lesion of unknown pathogenesis. Although this reactive process of testicular tunics is benign, this usually is diagnosed after radical orchiectomy. The authors describe a case of fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis testis associated with testicular infarction. To our knowledge, this is the first case presented with similar association, second case consisting predominantly of myofibroblasts and the fourth reported case encountered in childhood.     

An experimental study of methods to produce intrascrotal testicular fixation

Methods to produce fixation between the tunica albuginea (visceral tunica vaginalis) and surrounding structures were used in Sprague-Dawley rats as an experimental model of orchiopexy to prevent testicular torsion. Eversion of the parietal tunica vaginalis without suture, or with absorbable or nonabsorbable suture produced excellent scarification, as did the use of talc. Absorbable and nonabsorbable suture, when placed between the parietal tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea (visceral tunica vaginalis), produced only minor degrees of inflammation. Tetracycline instillation similarly failed to produce a significant inflammatory response.     

带蒂阴囊中隔皮瓣加盖睾丸鞘膜尿道成形术在失败尿道下裂手术中的应用

目的:评价带蒂阴囊中隔皮瓣加盖睾丸鞘膜尿道成形术在失败尿道下裂手术中的应用,了解其适应证、手术方法、术后并发症及远期效果。方法:回顾性分析2008年1月~2013年12月采用带蒂阴囊中隔皮瓣加盖睾丸鞘膜尿道成形术治疗的43例手术失败的尿道下裂病例及随访资料,描述手术适应证、手术方法,总结术后并发症及处理方法,评价远期效果。结果:平均手术时间110min。术后并发症发生率为14%(6/43),其中尿道皮肤瘘3例,尿道憩室1例,尿道口狭窄2例。术后1年随访,阴茎外观满意率为90.7%(39/43),通过随诊观察排尿评估尿道功能正常率为95.35%(41/43)。5例尿道镜检查无明显毛石形成。结论:带蒂阴囊中隔皮瓣加盖睾丸鞘膜尿道成形术是在失败尿道下裂修复术中有效的手术方式,手术方法相对简单,容易掌握,手术并发症较少,远期效果确切。     

Split-Thickness Skin Graft Urethroplasty and Tunica Vaginalis Flaps for Failed Hypospadias Repairs

Purpose

Via a 2-stage procedure, 10 patients with failed hypospadias repairs were treated by a varied combination of split-thickness mesh graft urethroplasty and tunica vaginalis flap.

Materials and Methods

A bed for the mesh graft in 3 patients was provided by a tunica vaginalis flap. Tunica vaginalis flaps were also used as an intermediate layer during stage 2 of the repair.

Results

No strictures or fistulas occurred in 8 patients. Two patients await stage 2 repair after successful stage 1 placement of the mesh graft.

Conclusions

The combination of split-thickness mesh graft urethroplasty and a tunica vaginalis flap appears to achieve success in the difficult patient with complex hypospadias subsequent to multiple failed repairs.     

Multicystic malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis with an unusually indolent clinical course

We report an extremely rare case of a multicystic malignant mesothelioma in the tunica vaginalis with an unusually indolent clinical course. A 48-year-old man presented with a one-month history of painless swelling of right scrotal contents. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed a multicystic mass in the right scrotal sac with evidence of neither distant nor lymph node metastases. The testicular tumor markers were within the normal limits. Inguinal orchiectomy was performed under the suspicion of a malignant tumor. The cystic tumor consisted of fibrocellular, microcystic and adenomatoid elements microscopically was diagnosed biphasic malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis but no invasion into the testis, epididymis and also scrotum. The patient has been disease-free for 72 months and is being followed on an outpatient basis with no further adjuvant therapy.