Penile amputation and sheath ablation in the horse.

This research paper discusses a surgical method for penile amputation and sheath ablation in male horses. The study looks into the results of these operations, carried out on 25 horses, and concludes that this method can be a successful alternative to traditional procedures, with fewer changes to the normal appearance of the horse.

Study Design and Population

• The study was carried out as a retrospective analysis, reviewing past surgical procedures followed for penile amputation and sheath ablation in horses.
• A sample population of 25 adult geldings of various breeds was chosen. All these horses had conditions that required penile amputation and sheath ablation.

Methodology

• The surgical procedure consisted of an en bloc resection of the skin and the underlying tissues of the inner and outer lamina of the prepuce and penile shaft.
• The diseased segments of the penile shaft were resected, and the urethral mucosa was spatulated.
• The penis was then fixed to the ventral abdomen, followed by the closure of the peripreputial skin over the ventral aspect of the penis. Additionally, a new mucocutaneous junction was created at the urethral orifice.

Results

• Every horse in the study experienced mild to moderate bleeding following the surgery.
• Partial dehiscence (separation of the wound edges) of the new mucocutaneous junction occurred in 8 horses, though all such horses healed naturally.
• Seven horses experienced postoperative pain lasting from 24 to 48 hours. One among these seven required epidural analgesia for pain relief.
• A long-term follow-up was available for 8 horses, none of which had any long-term complications post-procedure.

Conclusions

• The research concludes that partial amputation of the penis, along with fixation to the ventral abdomen and revision of the peripreputial skin, can be an alternative to the traditional method of en bloc resection and penile retroversion. This is particularly suitable for lesions involving the free part of the penis and the prepuce.
• Notably, this technique requires smaller incisions and results in less alteration to the normal appearance of the external genitalia than the traditional techniques. It still allows for the removal of extensive portions of the penis and excision of the regional lymph nodes, if needed.