Page 200 - Manual of Equine Field Surgery

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CHAPTER 35

Cryptorchid Castration

Joanne Kramer

proper ligament, the ligament of the tail of the
INDICATIONS
epididymis, and the scrotal ligament (inguinal

extension of the gubernaculum).1 Cryptorchid
Cryptorchid castration is performed to prevent surgery is based on the identification of 011e or

breeding and to modify behavior.
more of these structures and the use of these

structures to locate the retained testicle.

The retained testicle may be within the

EQUIPMENT inguinal canal or within the abdomen. Complete

abdominal cryptorchids have the epididymis and

Emasculators are used to crush and sever the testicle within the abdomen. Incomplete or partial

spermatic cord. White's modified, Serra, and abdominal cryptorchids have the tail of the epi-

Reimer emasculators are commonly used. All can didymis within the inguinal canal and the testes

be used effectively; we commonly 11se Serra ernas- within the abdomen (Figure 35-1). For complete

culators. Sponge forceps can be used to evert the or incomplete abdominal cryptorchids, the prox-

vaginal process. imity of the testicle to the vaginal ring varies

depending on the length of the ligament of the tail

of the epididymis and proper ligament.

POSITIONING AND PREPARATION

Cryptorchid castration is performed with the horse PROCEDURE

in dorsal recumbency under general anesthesia.

The cryptorchid testicle is removed first. A 1 O-c1n

skin incision is made over the superficial inguinal

ANATOMY ring (Figure 35-2). Electrocautery is used if nec-

essary to control subcutaneous bleeding. The

Normal testicular descent involves enlargement depth of the incision is extended by palpating the

and then regression of the gubernaculum, a mes- deep inguinal ring through the subcutaneous

enchymal condensation within the genital fold tissues and inguinal canal with the index finger of

connected to the developing testes. This enlarge- both hands and then spreading the tissues in one

ment of the gubernaculum extends through the layer. Dissecting bluntly is important because of

vaginal ring and inguinal canal and is invaded by the superficial caudal epigastric vessels that lie

an extension of peritoneal lining forming the lateral to the incision. Dissecting the deeper

vaginal process. During the process of testicular tissues in one layer keeps the surgical field simpler

descent, the gubernaculum differentiates into the and makes it easier to identify the inguinal exten-

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