Hemiscrotectomy with contralateral testicular transposition for scrotal cancer

• Published in: The Journal of urology Vol. 168; no. 4 Pt 1; p. 1406
• Main Authors: Arango, Octavio, Bielsa, Oscar, Lorente, Jose Antonio, De Leon, Edison, Mas, Antoni Gelabert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2002
• Subjects: Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Genital Neoplasms, Male - pathology; Genital Neoplasms, Male - surgery; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paget Disease, Extramammary - pathology; Paget Disease, Extramammary - surgery; Scrotum - pathology; Scrotum - surgery; Testis - surgery
• ISSN: 0022-5347
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-5347(05)64460-6

Wide excision of scrotal tumors results in serious defects to such an extent that in some cases the contents of the scrotum cannot be preserved. We describe a hemiscrotectomy technique with transposition of the testis to the contralateral hemiscrotum that facilitates closure of the surgical wound and allows preservation of the testis. Our procedure was used in 3 patients with scrotal neoplasia, including 2 with squamous cell carcinoma and 1 with extramammary Paget's disease. After excision of the hemiscrotum affected by the tumor, which includes all layers of the scrotal wall, the testis is transposed into the contralateral hemiscrotum through a slit made in the medial scrotal septum. The defect is easily closed by apposing the surgical wound edges. The 3 men were disease-free 8, 7 and 4 years after surgery, respectively. After intervention they remained pain-free. None had hydrocele or epididymitis secondary to placement of the 2 testes in the same hemiscrotum. In appropriate candidates this technique allows the scrotal defect to be easily reconstructed after tumor excision without any need for skin flaps or free skin grafts. The procedure makes it possible to preserve the scrotal content and perform more radical treatment since the scrotal wall is completely excised.