Castration Procedures

Question 1

What are some potential reasons that we may choose to castrate dogs?

Answer 1

1. Population control
2. Behavior - roaming and aggression
3. Disease prevention - testicular neoplasia, prosthetic disease and perineal hernia

Question 2

What is involved in a closed castration and when may we use one?

Answer 2

A closed castration technique is when the vaginal tunic is not incised. In dogs less than 15 kg and in cases of testicular pathology (neoplasia)

Question 3

What is involved in open castration and when may one be used?

Answer 3

An open castration is when the vaginal tunic is opened. This is used in dogs of greater than 15 kg and animals with no testicular pathology

Question 4

Briefly explain how an animal should be clipped for a spey:

Answer 4

Clip the caudal abdomen and medial thighs. DO NO CLIP scrotum (just base). Drape and exclude the scrotum from the surgical field

Question 5

What are the six stages involved in the procedure of closed castration?

Answer 5

1. Advance the testicle into the pre-scrotal region
2. Incise over the testicle and exteriorise
3. Break ligament of the tail of epididymus
4. Transfixing ligature through vaginal process
5. Transect and release pedicle
6. Repeat

Question 6

What type of ligature and suture material should be used through the vaginal process in a closed spay and what structure should the needle avoid?

Answer 6

Transfixing ligature goes through vaginal process -3/0 PDS, do not place needle through the pampiniform plexus

Question 7

What are the stages that are involved in an open spay?

Answer 7

1. Advance the testicle into pre-scrotal region
2. Incise over testicle and exteriorise
3. Break ligament of tail of epididymus
4. Incise visceral vaginal tunic
5. Separate pampiniform plexus and ductus deferens
6. Triple clamp pampiniform plexus and ductus deferens
7. Encircling then transfixing ligatures
8. Transect and release the pedicle
9. Close the visceral vaginal tunic

Question 8

Briefly explain the process of ligating and clamping the pampiniform plexus:

Answer 8

1. Triple clamp pampiniform plexus
2. Encircling ligature proximal
3. Transfixing ligature distally
4. 2/0 or 3/0 PDS - excise between clamps distal to ligatures
5. Ductus deferens is ligated with encircling ligature only

Question 9

Explain what type of suture and what size would be used for closing the spermatic fascia + subcutaneous layer and the skin:

Answer 9

1. Spermatic fascia + subcutaneous layer - 3/0 monosyn

2. Skin - 3/0 and 4/0 nylon

Question 10

What are some differences when performing a cat castration when compared to a dog?

Answer 10

1. Fur is plucked, not clipped
2. Scrotum is draped into surgical field
3. Incise over each testicle through scrotum - open or closed technique
4. Tie knots in spermatic cord
5. No sutures - we even leave the scrotal sac open!

Question 11

Why is it important to find the undescended testicles in cryptorchid animals?

Answer 11

Undescended animals have a very high incidence of neoplastic transformation.

Question 12

Where are the vas deferens located?

Answer 12

Located between the bladder and colon