Surgical treatment of 4 horses for cryptorchidism caused by failure of regression of the cranial suspensory ligament of the testis.

This research article outlines the surgical treatment of four horses suffering from cryptorchidism, a disorder caused by failure of regression of the cranial suspensory ligament (CSL) of the testis. The results showed positive post-surgical recovery in the horses, affirming that the rare condition of cryptorchidism linked to CSL can be effectively treated with the right surgical approaches.

Surgical Methods Used

• The study is a retrospective case series investigating the surgical treatment of cryptorchidism in horses, using four test subjects (horses).
• The horses displayed cryptorchidism either unilaterally (one testis) or bilaterally (both testes), resulting from the failure of regression of the CSL.
• Three distinct surgical methods were used to address the condition: standing laparoscopic, flank laparotomy, and paramedian celiotomy. These surgical approaches were chosen according to the individual condition of the horses.
• The procedure entailed locating the retained testis that was attached to the caudal pole of the kidney by the CSL, ligation (tying off) and removal of the vascular pedicle and ductus deferens.

Results

• The study recorded that two horses had unilateral cryptorchidism, and the remaining two exhibited the bilateral condition.
• Out of the four horses, two of them successfully underwent the standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, while the other two saw successful removal of retained testes through flank or paramedian celiotomy.
• All located testes were found to be in the dorsal aspect of the abdomen just caudal to the kidney and exhibited a well-developed CSL.

Conclusions

• The failure of CSL regression is identified as a rare cause of cryptorchidism in horses.
• However, the study concludes that affected horses can recover successfully following the application of the operative techniques that enable exploration of the dorsal and caudal aspects of the abdomen.