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Home / Equine Research Bank / Aust Vet J / Equine castration: review of anatomy, approaches, techniques...
Australian veterinary journal1999; 77(7); 428-434; doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb12083.x

Equine castration: review of anatomy, approaches, techniques and complications in normal, cryptorchid and monorchid horses.

Abstract: Complications associated with equine castration are the most common cause of malpractice claims against equine practitioners in North America. An understanding of the embryological development and surgical anatomy is essential to differentiate abnormal from normal structures and to minimise complications. Castration of the normal horse can be performed using sedation and regional anaesthesia while the horse is standing, or under general anaesthesia when it is recumbent. Castration of cryptorchid horses is best performed under general anaesthesia at a surgical facility. Techniques for castration include open, closed and half-closed techniques. Failure of left and right testicles to descend occurs with nearly equal frequency, however, the left testicle is found in the abdomen in 75% of cryptorchid horses compared to 42% of right testicles. Bilateral cryptorchid and monorchid horses are uncommon. Surgical approaches described for the castration of cryptorchid horses include an inguinal approach with or without retrieval of the scrotal ligament, a parainguinal approach, or less commonly a suprapubic paramedian or flank approach. Laparoscopic castration of cryptorchid horses has recently been described but the technique has limited application in practice at this time. A definitive diagnosis of monorchidism can only be made after surgical exploration of the abdomen, removal of the normal testis and hormonal testing. Hormonal assays reported to be useful include analysis of basal plasma or serum testosterone or oestrone sulphate concentrations, testosterone concentrations following hCG stimulation, and faecal oestrone sulphate concentrations. Reported complications of castration include postoperative swelling, excessive haemorrhage, eventration, funiculitis, peritonitis, hydrocele, penile damage and continued stallion-like behaviour.
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Publication Date: 1999-08-19 PubMed ID: 10451725DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb12083.xGoogle 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.

This research article provides an extensive review of the anatomy, techniques, and potential complications concerning horse castration, with a focus on normal, monorchid, and cryptorchid horses.

Understanding Embryological Development and Surgical Anatomy

  • The study states the importance of understanding the embryological development and surgical anatomy of a horse to differentiate normal from abnormal structures. It helps to minimize possible complications during the castration process.

Castration Techniques

  • Several techniques can be utilized for horse castration, including open, closed, and half-closed techniques.
  • The castration of a normal horse can be operated under sedation and regional anesthesia while the animal is standing, or under general anesthesia when it is recumbent.
  • Castration of cryptorchid horses is best executed under general anesthesia at a surgical facility.

Discussion on Cryptorchidism

  • The article mentions that failure of left and right testicles to descend occurs almost with equal frequency. However, in cryptorchid horses, the left testicle is found in the abdomen in 75% of cases compared to 42% of right testicles.
  • The study discusses various surgical approaches for castrating cryptorchid horses, including inguinal, parainguinal, suprapubic paramedian, or flank approach.
  • Moreover, a new technique, laparoscopic castration, has been described but its application in practice is limited at this point.

Monorchid Horses

  • Monorchidism, a condition where the horse only has one testis, can only be definitively diagnosed after a surgical examination of the abdomen, removal of the normal testis, and hormonal analyses.
  • The hormonal assays that have been proven useful include the analysis of basal plasma or serum testosterone or oestrone sulphate concentrations, testosterone concentrations after hCG stimulation, and faecal oestrone sulphate concentrations.

Complications of Castration

  • The article lists the potential postoperative complications of castration, including swelling, excessive haemorrhage, eventration, funiculitis, peritonitis, hydrocele, penile damage, and continued stallion-like behavior.

Cite This Article

APA
Searle D, Dart AJ, Dart CM, Hodgson DR. (1999). Equine castration: review of anatomy, approaches, techniques and complications in normal, cryptorchid and monorchid horses. Aust Vet J, 77(7), 428-434. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb12083.x

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 0005-0423
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 77
Issue: 7
Pages: 428-434

Researcher Affiliations

Searle, D
  • University Veterinary Centre, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales.
Dart, A J
    Dart, C M
      Hodgson, D R

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cryptorchidism / surgery
        • Cryptorchidism / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / surgery
        • Horses / surgery
        • Male
        • Orchiectomy / methods
        • Orchiectomy / veterinary
        • Testis / abnormalities
        • Testis / embryology
        • Testis / pathology

        References

        This article includes 25 references

        Citations

        This article has been cited 12 times.
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          doi: 10.3390/ani15192923pubmed: 41096518google scholar: lookup
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        3. Vullo C, Crupi R, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S, Gugliandolo E, Biondi V, Catone G. Intratesticular Versus Intrafunicular Lidocaine to Reduce Perioperative Nociception and Immunological Response in Ponies Undergoing Field Castration. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 28;9(12).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci9120664pubmed: 36548825google scholar: lookup
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          pubmed: 28487590
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          pubmed: 25593678
        12. Dalla Costa E, Minero M, Lebelt D, Stucke D, Canali E, Leach MC. Development of the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) as a pain assessment tool in horses undergoing routine castration. PLoS One 2014;9(3):e92281.
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