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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14122

A scoping review on intraoperative and postoperative surgical castration complications in domesticated equids.

Abstract: Castration is the most common surgical procedure in domesticated equids; surgical techniques used and perioperative management vary considerably. Objective: To identify and chart the current evidence on perioperative complications associated with different methods of surgical castration in domesticated equids. Methods: Joanna Briggs Institute systematic scoping review. Methods: CAB Abstracts, Medline and Embase databases were searched using terms related to equine castration complications. Two authors independently and blindly screened publications against eligibility criteria. Data on study methods, perioperative management, surgical techniques, and perioperative complications were extracted. Surgical techniques were grouped into categories depending on technique; open, closed or half-closed, and whether the parietal tunic was open or closed at the end of surgery. Results: The search identified 1871 publications; 71 studies met the final inclusion criteria. The data reported 76 734 castrations, most of which were open or closed, with the vaginal tunic remaining open at the end of surgery. Twenty-five studies reported information regarding surgical techniques and perioperative management, allowing detailed charting and comparisons, of which analgesia and antimicrobial usage varied notably. Eighteen different complications were reported, with swelling or oedema being the most common. Evisceration was most commonly reported in draught breeds and Standardbreds, and the risk appeared low if the parietal tunic was closed at the end of surgery. Conclusions: Grey literature and studies not available in English were not included. Existing studies varied greatly in perioperative management, surgical techniques and reporting of outcomes, making evidence consolidation problematic. Conclusions: A lack of consensus regarding complication definitions creates uncertainty and discrepancies between complication rates associated with different surgical techniques and perioperative management. The implementation of standardised systems for describing surgical techniques and complications is recommended for future studies. A number of studies did not follow current recommendations for perioperative analgesia and use of antimicrobials.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-07-12 PubMed ID: 38993145DOI: 10.1111/evj.14122Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is a scoping review that investigates the complications associated with different surgical castration methods in domesticated equids (or horses and related animals). This review analyzes how different perioperative management and surgical techniques could potentially contribute to these complications.

Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a systematic scoping review, adhering to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute.
  • Databases such as CAB Abstracts, Medline, and Embase were systematically searched using search terms relating to complications arising from equine castration.
  • The publications found were screened independently and blindly by two authors against pre-set eligibility criteria. This process ensured bias-free evaluation of the research material.
  • Data pertaining to study methods, perioperative management techniques, surgical procedures, and any complications occurring perioperatively were meticulously extracted and analyzed.

Findings

  • From a total of 1871 publications, 71 studies met the final inclusion criteria. These studies collectively reported on 76,734 castrations. The majority involved either open or closed surgical procedures, with the vaginal tunic often left open after surgery.
  • Among the included studies, 25 provided information on surgical techniques and perioperative management, allowing for detailed comparisons. There was a noticeable variation in analgesia and antimicrobial usage.
  • The complications reported in these studies were varied, with swelling or edema being the most common. In particular, evisceration was seen mostly in draught breeds and Standardbreds; however, this risk was reduced if the parietal tunic was closed at the conclusion of surgery.

Conclusions

  • Excluded from this review were non-English papers and those found in the so-called ‘grey literature’, which refers to unpublished or non-commercially published works, which might consist of theses, government reports, and conference papers, etc.
  • The results from the various studies showed a significant disparity in perioperative management, surgical approaches, and outcome reporting. This situation creates challenges when trying to combine and evaluate the evidence.
  • The lack of consensus in defining complications creates discrepancies and uncertainties in the complication rates associated with different surgical procedures and perioperative managements.
  • The researchers have recommended the use of standardized systems to describe surgical methods and complications in future studies to minimize this ambiguity.
  • The researchers also noticed a lack of adherence to current recommendations regarding perioperative analgesia and the use of antimicrobials in several studies. This needs to be addressed in future research and practice.

Cite This Article

APA
Rodden EBK, Suthers JM, Busschers E, Burford JH, Freeman SL. (2024). A scoping review on intraoperative and postoperative surgical castration complications in domesticated equids. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14122

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Rodden, Elise B K
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Suthers, Joanna M
  • B&W Equine Hospital, Berkeley, UK.
Busschers, Evita
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Mereworth, Maidstone, Kent, UK.
Burford, John H
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Freeman, Sarah L
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Grant Funding

  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Tyrnenopoulou P, Kalatzis D, Kiouvrekis Y, Flouraki E, Folias L, Loukopoulos E, Starras A, Chalvatzis P, Tsioli V, Mavrogianni VS, Fthenakis GC. Development of an Explainable Machine Learning Computational Model for the Prediction of Severe Complications After Orchiectomy in Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 25;16(3).
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  2. Tyrnenopoulou P, Flouraki E, Folias L, Loukopoulos E, Starras A, Chalvatzis P, Tsioli V, Mavrogianni VS, Fthenakis GC. Complications Following Orchiectomy in Stallions in Field Conditions: Descriptive Results and Predictors in a Study of 612 Cases. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 21;16(2).
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