Complications associated with closed castration using the Henderson equine castration instrument in 300 standing equids.
Abstract: To describe a closed castration technique in standing equids, report associated complications, and identify potential risk factors. Methods: Prospective cohort study of 300 standing equids that were castrated with the Henderson Equine Castrating Instrument. Methods: Thirteen participating veterinarians recorded intraoperative difficulties and postoperative complications. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses with Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regressions were used to evaluate intraoperative difficulties and postoperative complications and to assess risk factors for postoperative complications. Results: Data were collected on 300 equids (269 horses, 23 ponies, and 8 donkeys). Intraoperative difficulties were experienced in 39 of 300 (13%) procedures. Postoperative complications were reported in 69 of 300 (23%) equids, including excessive swelling (29, 9.67%), surgical site infection (SSI; 27, 9%), severe hemorrhage (3, 1%), and prolapse of the omentum (2, 0.64%). Donkeys were at increased risk of severe hemorrhage (2/8, 25%, P = .0019). Equids that were castrated in a hospital setting (83/300, 27.66%) more frequently developed excessive swelling (P = .0034, odds ratio [OR] = 3.20) and SSI (P = .0047, OR = 3.18) compared with equids that were castrated in a field setting (217/300, 72.33%). Prolonging antimicrobial prophylaxis or age of the equid at the time of castration had no effect on the prevalence of excessive swelling or SSI. Conclusions: The method of castration evaluated here resulted in a similar prevalence of postoperative complications to that previously reported for castrations in standing horses but fewer SSI. Conclusions: The described method provides a viable option for castrating horses and ponies, but is not recommended in donkeys.
© 2018 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2018-10-27 PubMed ID: 30367692DOI: 10.1111/vsu.12960Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article presents a study done on the complications related with the closed castration technique using the Henderson equine castration instrument in 300 standing equids. The study also identifies the different factors that potentially increase the risk of postoperative complications.
Methodology
- The study was a prospective cohort study that included 300 standing equids (horses, donkeys, and ponies) that were castrated using the Henderson Equine Castrating Instrument.
- Thirteen veterinarians took part in the study, recording data on intraoperative difficulties experienced during castration and the postoperative complications.
- The information collected was statistically analyzed using methods like descriptive statistics, univariate analyses with Fisher’s exact tests, and logistic regressions. This information was used to evaluate the complications and risks associated with the procedure.
Results
- In the sample size of 300 equids, intraoperative difficulties were recorded in 39 (13%) procedures.
- Postoperative complications arose in 69 of the 300 equids (23%). These were mostly of excessive swelling (29, 9.67%), followed by surgical site infection (SSI; 27, 9%), severe hemorrhage (3, 1%), and omentum prolapse (2, 0.64%).
- Donkeys were particularly at a raised risk of severe hemorrhage (2 out of 8, 25%).
- Evidently, equids castrated in a hospital setting (83 out of 300) often developed excessive swelling and SSI than those castrated in a field setting (217 out of 300).
- The age of the equid at castration or extending antimicrobial prophylaxis did not seem to have a clear effect on the prevalence of excessive swelling or SSI.
Conclusions
- It was concluded that the overall prevalence of postoperative complications was similar to previous reports for standing horse castrations, albeit with fewer instances of SSI.
- However, this castration technique wasn’t recommended for donkeys, given the increased risk of severe hemorrhage.
- In summary, the research suggests that the Henderson method of equine castration can be a feasible option for horses and ponies if the risk factors are carefully managed.
Cite This Article
APA
Racine J, Vidondo B, Ramseyer A, Koch C.
(2018).
Complications associated with closed castration using the Henderson equine castration instrument in 300 standing equids.
Vet Surg, 48(1), 21-28.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.12960 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Swiss Institute for Equine Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; ALP-Haras, Avenches, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute for Veterinary Public Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute for Equine Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; ALP-Haras, Avenches, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute for Equine Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; ALP-Haras, Avenches, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Castration / adverse effects
- Castration / methods
- Castration / veterinary
- Equidae / surgery
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / surgery
- Male
- Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
- Postoperative Complications / etiology
- Postoperative Complications / pathology
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Switzerland / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Ibrahim A, Mahmoud UT, Ali MM, Ragab SMM. Evaluation of the subcapsular technique for primary closure castration in donkeys (Equus asinus). Sci Rep 2021 Jul 7;11(1):14080.
- 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).
- 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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