Surgical treatment of 4 horses for cryptorchidism caused by failure of regression of the cranial suspensory ligament of the testis.
Authors: Ortved Kyla F, Stewart Allison Worster, Fubini Susan L, Hackett Richard P
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Surgical Management of Cryptorchidism Caused by Cranial Suspensory Ligament Retention Cryptorchidism in horses is usually attributable to the testis becoming lodged during descent, but this case series identifies an uncommon anatomical variant where failure of the cranial suspensory ligament (CSL) to regress physically prevents testicular descent into the scrotum. Four horses—two with bilateral and two with unilateral cryptorchidism—were treated via standing laparoscopy (two cases) or celiotomy approaches (two cases), with all retained testes located in the dorsal abdomen immediately caudal to the kidney, each tethered by a well-developed CSL. All horses recovered successfully following ligation of the vascular pedicle and ductus deferens, with complete removal of the affected tissue. Whilst CSL-related cryptorchidism represents a small proportion of cases, clinicians should be alert to this possibility when standard laparoscopic exploration fails to locate a retained testis in the expected intra-abdominal sites; accessing the dorsocaudal abdominal region through standing laparoscopy or open surgical approaches offers an effective solution for these anatomically unusual cases.
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Practical Takeaways
- •CSL regression failure is an uncommon cryptorchidism cause but should be considered in cases with retained abdominal testes located near the kidney
- •Standing laparoscopic approach is a viable option for cryptorchidectomy in select cases, reducing recovery time compared to open celiotomy
- •Surgical exploration of the dorsocaudal abdomen is necessary to identify and remove testes attached by persistent CSL; vascular pedicle and ductus deferens ligation ensures safe removal
Key Findings
- •4 horses with cryptorchidism caused by failure of CSL regression were successfully treated surgically
- •All retained testes were located in the dorsal abdomen caudal to the kidney with well-developed CSL
- •Standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy was successful in 2 horses; flank laparotomy and paramedian celiotomy were used in the other 2
- •All horses recovered successfully with no reported complications