Castration in the standing horse combining laparoscopic and conventional techniques.
Authors: Rijkenhuizen A B M, van der Harst M R
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Standing Laparoscopic-Conventional Hybrid Castration in Horses Castration of horses with descended testes conventionally requires general anaesthesia and carries post-operative complications including haemorrhage and infection; laparoscopic approaches have proven effective for abdominal cryptorchidism but lack utility for normally descended or inguinally retained testes. Rijkenhuizen and van der Harst developed and evaluated a hybrid technique combining laparoscopic visualisation with conventional castration, performed standing under local anaesthesia and sedation. This approach overcomes the limitations of purely laparoscopic methods for normal horses whilst reducing the morbidity associated with recumbent surgery, offering practitioners a middle-ground option that maintains the diagnostic advantages of endoscopy. By preserving standing castration protocols with regional blocks, the technique minimises systemic anaesthetic risk—a significant consideration for animals with concurrent illness or poor anaesthetic tolerance. The practical value lies in expanding the standing castration repertoire beyond simple conventional methods, particularly for cases where laparoscopic visualisation is diagnostically valuable but full endoscopic castration is anatomically unsuitable.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Standing laparoscopic castration technique selection depends on testicular location—abdominal cryptorchidism can be reliably managed laparoscopically, but inguinal cases and normal males require alternative approaches
- •A new combined laparoscopic-conventional technique offers an option for castrating normal stallions in the standing position
Key Findings
- •Standing laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy is reliable for abdominal cryptorchidism but not recommended for inguinal cryptorchidism or normal males
- •An alternative laparoscopic method for castration of horses with descended testes was developed