This newborn was born with bifid penis with two separate glans penis and separate shaft. Scrotum was bifid with both gonads descended and palpable. The baby also had ectopia vesica with a membranous band stretching from the inferior aspect of the umbilical ring to the anterior perineal area. The bladder was completely extrophied. The anus was small and anteriorly placed (anocutaneous fistula).

Penile duplication (syn diphallus, bifid penis, penis duplex) is a rare anomaly with an incidence of 1 in 5,500,000. It is almost always associated with other malforma-tions like double bladder, extrophy of the cloacae, imperforate anus, duplication of the rectosigmoid and vertebral deformities. The duplication may involve whole or only part of the penis. The urine may be passed by one or both penis. It is suggested that the anomaly results from failure of fusion of mesodermal bands. Treatment is by exci-sion of the duplicated non communicating glans. Complete diphallus is best treated by excision of the less well developed penile structure and its urethra.

Vinod Cherian Varghese,
T.U. Sukumaran,
Institute of Child Health
Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala.
E-mail: [email protected]