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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Routine castration in 568 draught colts: incidence of evisce...
Equine veterinary journal2004; 36(4); 336-340; doi: 10.2746/0425164044890625

Routine castration in 568 draught colts: incidence of evisceration and omental herniation.

Abstract: Castration is one of the most common routine surgical procedures performed in the horse, from which a number of potential complications can arise. We undertook a prospective evaluation of short-term complications associated with castration of draught colts over a 3-year period (1998-2000). Objective: To compare castration complications in a large number of draught foals with previously published literature. Methods: Five hundred and sixty-eight draught colts, age 4 or 5 months, were castrated in field conditions. Foals were observed for complications for 24 h post operatively. Results: There was no significant difference in complication rates between open and closed surgical techniques. Inguinal/scrotal hernia rate was 4.6% (26/568) prior to surgery, and evisceration of the small intestine occurred in 4.8% (27/568). Foals observed to eviscerate underwent immediate surgical correction with an overall survival rate of 72.2% (13/18). Omental herniation was seen in 2.8% (16/568) of colts. Conclusions: This study showed no difference between the closed and open techniques of castration and the rate of omental herniation or evisceration. The evisceration rate in combination with the omental and presurgical herniation rates approached 12.2%, which is high enough to warrant further examination. Conclusions: Future investigation should help to assess predisposing factors for evisceration. Regardless of the technique employed, herniation appears to pose a significant risk to draught foals undergoing castration.
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Publication Date: 2004-05-28 PubMed ID: 15163041DOI: 10.2746/0425164044890625Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research study examines the incidence of complications, such as evisceration and omental herniation, that can occur during the routine castration of draught colts. It concludes that these complications are significant, suggesting the need for further investigation to assess predisposing factors.

Objective of the Study

  • The main objective of this research is to compare the rate of complications associated with castration in draught colts against previously published data. The research aimed to understand the frequency and nature of post-surgical complications following castration in a large group of draught colts.

Methods of the Study

  • Between 1998 and 2000, the authors performed castration on 568 draught colts aged 4 to 5 months under field conditions.
  • The foals were observed for 24 hours after the surgery to monitor for any complications arising.

Results of the Study

  • The study found no significant difference between the rates of complications between open and closed surgical techniques.
  • A pre-surgery inguinal/scrotal hernia was detected in 4.6% (26/568) of the colts.
  • Post-surgery, the evisceration, or protrusion, of the small intestine occurred in 4.8% (27/568) of colts. Of these, 72.2% (13/18) survived following immediate surgical correction.
  • Omental herniation, which involves protrusion of the omentum – an apron-like layer of fatty tissue that hangs down from the stomach – was observed in 2.8% (16/568) of the colts.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The study concluded that the type of castration technique, whether open or closed, did not significantly impact the rates of evisceration or omental herniation.
  • The combined occurrence of presurgical herniation, evisceration and omental herniation was at a considerable rate of 12.2%, indicating that these complications are significant and warrant further investigation.
  • The study calls for future research to identify possible factors that could predispose draught colts to evisceration post-castration, as herniation appears to pose a significant risk.

Cite This Article

APA
Shoemaker R, Bailey J, Janzen E, Wilson DG. (2004). Routine castration in 568 draught colts: incidence of evisceration and omental herniation. Equine Vet J, 36(4), 336-340. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044890625

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 4
Pages: 336-340

Researcher Affiliations

Shoemaker, R
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
Bailey, J
    Janzen, E
      Wilson, D G

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Hernia, Inguinal / epidemiology
        • Hernia, Inguinal / etiology
        • Hernia, Inguinal / veterinary
        • Hernia, Ventral / epidemiology
        • Hernia, Ventral / etiology
        • Hernia, Ventral / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / etiology
        • Horses / surgery
        • Incidence
        • Intestine, Small / injuries
        • Male
        • Omentum
        • Orchiectomy / adverse effects
        • Orchiectomy / veterinary
        • Peritoneal Diseases / epidemiology
        • Peritoneal Diseases / etiology
        • Peritoneal Diseases / veterinary
        • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
        • Postoperative Complications / etiology
        • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
        • Retrospective Studies
        • Visceral Prolapse / epidemiology
        • Visceral Prolapse / etiology
        • Visceral Prolapse / veterinary

        Citations

        This article has been cited 6 times.
        1. 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
        2. Sheats MK, Burke MJ, Robertson JB, Fiebrandt KE, Fogle CA. Development and Formative Evaluation of a Low-Fidelity Equine Castration Model for Veterinary Education.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:689243.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.689243pubmed: 34595227google scholar: lookup
        3. 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.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93585-ypubmed: 34234262google scholar: lookup
        4. Aune A, Fenner K, Wilson B, Cameron E, McLean A, McGreevy P. Reported Behavioural Differences between Geldings and Mares Challenge Sex-Driven Stereotypes in Ridden Equine Behaviour.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 2;10(3).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10030414pubmed: 32131444google scholar: lookup
        5. Abass M, Picek S, Garzón JFG, Kühnle C, Zaghlou A, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R. Local mepivacaine before castration of horses under medetomidine isoflurane balanced anaesthesia is effective to reduce perioperative nociception and cytokine release.. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):733-738.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.12947pubmed: 29660154google scholar: lookup
        6. Robert MP, Chapuis RJJ, de Fourmestraux C, Geffroy OJ. Complications and risk factors of castration with primary wound closure: Retrospective study in 159 horses.. Can Vet J 2017 May;58(5):466-471.
          pubmed: 28487590
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