Page 202 - Manual of Equine Field Surgery

198 MALE UROGENITAL SURGERIES

A Figure 35-6 The tail of the epididymis exposed in an

incomplete abdominal cryptorchid.

8

Figure 35-5 A, First view of a11 inguinal testicle .x:

(arrow). B, An inguinal testicle after exteriorization Figure 35- 7 After identification of the tail of the

(arrow).
epididymis in Figure 35-6, traction 011 a long proper

ligament resulted in exteriorization of the abdominal

testicle.

(scrotal ligament).2 The inguinal extension of the

gubernaculum is palpable as a fibrous band such If the inguinal extension of the gubernaculum

that when tension is placed on it, it can be is not located, the vaginal process can often be

observed to descend into the inguinal canal. The found by palpating a thin cordlike structure in the

size of the inguinal extension of the gubernacu- depression of the deep inguinal ring and by placing

lum varies but is generally less than 1 cm. Light a curved sponge forceps in the deep inguinal ring

traction on the inguinal extension of the guber- and carefully everting the vaginal process':' (Figure

naculum and blunt dissection to loosen tissue 35-8). Opening the vaginal process reveals the lig-

around the structure in the inguinal canal result ament of the tail of the epididymis, which can be

in exposure of the vaginal process (see Figures 35- used to find the epididymis and testicle. In some

3 and 35-4). The vaginal process is then incised, cases the vaginal ring must be enlarged to allow

and the epididymis or ligament of the tail of the the testes to be exteriorized. This can be done

epididymis is used to retrieve the testicle from the manually with a finger or with Metzenbaum

•
abdomen. scissors.