Repro

Question 1

What side do inguinal hernais usually occur and why?

Answer 1

Vast majority are left sided - likely dt incr intra-abdominal pressure dt the rumen

Question 2

Site for testicular biopsy

Answer 2

Dorsolateral testicle - superficial vasculature is most minimal here

Excessive haem if performed at other sites may necessitate castration

Question 3

Which side are more likely to be cryptorchid in cattle?

And goats?

Answer 3

Cattle - LEFT sided crypts occur twice as commonly vs right side

Goats - more commonly RIGHT sided

Question 4

Clinical signs & treatment of seminal vesiculitis

Answer 4

CSs- infertility (dt leukospermia), palpable gland enlargement

Seminal vesiculetomy - epidural & evacuate rectum. Cresent shaped incision in ishiorectal fossa curved around anus. Bluntly dissect cranially between rectum & sacroschiatic ligament. Laborious dissection of gland free from surrounding adhesions etc. Once free, chain ecreaseur placed around gland to remove. Close as much deadspace as poss & close skin.

Question 5

Surgical management of ‘corkscrew penis’

Why does this occus?

Answer 5

Occurs dt premature slippage of the apical ligament before intromission (normally occurs around point of ejaculation), preventing intromission

sx - 10cm longitudinal incision along dorsal penis 3cm from tip to transverse preputial reflection. Expose apical ligament & suture its free edges to underlying tunical albuginea

Alternative - augment ligament w implantation of fascia lata strips

NB need to observe natural breeding for dx as can be artificially induced by electroejaculation or not present at all

Question 6

What surgical options can be used to create teaser bulls

Answer 6

1. Epididymectomy
2. Vasectomy
3. Penile tie-down (phallopexy)
4. Attach penis to skin of the escutcheon
5. Penectomy/phallectomy
6. Preputial relocation
7. Preputial obliteration

Ideal procedure would render animal infertile & unable to achieve intromission, therefore often combine procedures to achieve this

Question 7

Describe procedure for epididimectomy

Answer 7

2cm skin incision ventral scrotum, extended into tail of epididymis. Bluntly separate tail from distal testis, ligate and remove. Avoid testicular damage.

Question 8

Describe procedure for vasectomy

Answer 8

2cm incision in scrotal neck cranially, caudally or laterally. Or a single incision on median raphe Incisie skin & parietal tunic vertically, ductus located caudomedial aspect of cord in its own fold of mesorchium. ID & remove 3cm section. Repeat both sides

Question 9

Features of testicular anatomy & differences from the horse

Answer 9

In the bull, the scrotum is located between the cranial parts of the thighs. On the cranial face of the scrotum are small, rudimentary teats that vary in number and spacing.

Testes are vertical vs horizontally (in the horse) within the scrotum.

Epididymis runs along caudomedial border of the testes.

At the distal pole of the testes, the ductus deferens begins at the tail of the epididymis and ascends the medial border of the testes

Question 10

Procedure for penile tie down

Answer 10

permanent adhesion between penis & body wall

Dorsal recumbency, 5cm longitudinal incision midway between scrotal neck & preputial orifice, deepened to expose linea alba.

ID urethra (to avoid it), & suture dorsal tunica albuginea to linea alba w multiple interrupted large gauge nonabsorbable sutures. Skin closed routinely

Question 11

Procedure to attach penis to skin of escutcheon

Answer 11

standing epidural, skin incision at palpable distal loop of sigmoid flexure & dissect to penis

Place large gauge nonabsorbable sutures through tunica albuginea & skin on each side of the incision avoiding urethra. Including retractor penis in closure ↑’s security

Question 12

Penectomy/phallectomy:

Answer 12

performed at same site; dorsal to the neck of the scrotum

Dissect down to distal loop of sigmoid flex & free penis from its abdominal attachments by blunt dissection, then exteriorise & transect at an angle so a ventral flap can be used to cover CCP

Ligate dorsal aa of the penis then spatulate urethra to the skin incision

Alternative - dorsal recumbency, 15cm longitudinal skin incision from 5cm cranial to the scrotal neck extending cranially

ID & bluntly free penis, exteriorise & transect following straightening of sigmoid flex w tourniquet

Transect obliquely as before w ventral portion longer 10cm proximal to the preputial attachment

Spatulate urethra to penile stump & remove free portion of penis from prepuial attachments

Penile stump then sutured to the prepuce

Question 13

Preputial relocation

Answer 13

Dorsolateral recumbency, so midline & 1 flank can be accessed

Circumferential incision around preputial orifice; skin around the remaining preputial orifice is notched or marked to preserve correct orientation & prevent torsion

Extend skin incision over caudal midline to within 5cm of the scrotal neck

Free internal preputial lamina bluntly, ligate vessels as required. Needs to be completely freely mobile while preserving some connective tissue and blood supply

Move freed prepuce to the side without stretching, marking new position lateral to the flank fold

Remove a circular portion of skin 1” smaller than what your freed up prepuce is

Create a tunnel bluntly toward base of scrotum & pull freed preputial orifice through toward its new location - needs to be lateral to the flank fold, if it is more medial than this then many can still achieve intromission

Close all incisions

Ideally do vasectomy as well as some learn to achieve intromission

Question 14

Preputial obliteration

Answer 14

preputial orifice permanently closed & fistula created for drainage of urine

Lateral recumbency. 1” Penrose onto tip of penis

Remove 1-2cm strip of skin ventrally 5cm caudal to external opening of prepuce, & lamina interna incised, & sutured to skin, creating a fistula with the free end of the Penrose passed through it

End of prepuce removed by cutting through skin, SQ & internal lamina; closed in same 3 layers

Penrose left in for approx 3 weeks

Question 15

Technique for std castration of calves (ideally approx 4 weeks)

Answer 15

• Scrotum grasped, & horizontal incision made through skin & fascia at its widest (junction of middle & distal 1/3). Entire distal segment of the scrotum is transected & common vaginal tunic is left intact.
• Traction placed on testes, & skin is pushed proximad so fascia is separated from spermatic cords enclosed in the common tunics. Don;t touch proximal spermatic cords.
• Alt: Newberry knife; makes a vertical incision from middle of the scrotum leaving cranial & caudal flaps of scrotal skin. Testes are dissected same as above. Incision heals by these flaps contracting on themselves → better drainage
• Emasculate cords proximally without tension on the cord during emasculation. Any redundant adipose tissue is removed
• In larger bulls, may ligate cords w no. 2 absorbable suture rather than trust the emasculators alone.
• In younger bulls, slow constant tension can be used to remove the testes instead of emasculators. Stretching the cord to failure takes advantage of natural hemostasis

Question 16

Most common site of urethral calculi obstruction in cattle

Answer 16

Distal bend of the sigmoid flexure, close to attachment of retractor penis mm

Occurs more commonly in steers (castrated males) dt smaller urethral size

Question 17

Types of urolith commonly seen in cattle

Answer 17

Silicate calculi, which are rough and hard, occur in steers grazing stubble & pastures consisting largely of grasses.

Phosphate calculi; soft, smooth, & often multiple, are more common in steers in feedlots

Question 18

Most common procedure to treat steers w urethral obstruction

What sites can this be performed at?

Answer 18

Urethrostomy most commonly used to allow recovery to permit reaching slaughter weight. Not a good long term solution as commonly stricture & obv can’t breed if entire bulls as urethra not continuous

• Usually standing or can be cast in dorsal.
• Can be performed at multiple sites - ‘high’ is just ventral to anus - ++ scalding & generally penilised market value. Lower is in region of the distal bend of sigmoid flexure. Advantage of low incision is that penis can be directed so urine is forced caudad,∴↓ scalding, & also more likely to encounter the obstructing calculus for removal
• A low urethrostomy may also be performed cranial to the scrotum or scrotal remnant.

Question 19

Describe technique for urethrostomy at the distal sigmoid flexure

Answer 19

• Penis is palpated immediately caudal to scrotal remnant; latter grasped & stretched craniad, & distal bend of sigmoid flexure is located.
• 10cm skin incision on midline directly over the penis, & blunt dissection to locate penis; generally deeper than anticipated & is firm fibrous structure the thickness of index finger.
• With traction, a portion of penis is exposed through skin incision
• Retractor penis mm are a useful guide to location of ventral surface of penis where they attach at the distal bend of the sigmoid flexure. May be possible to palpate urethral calculi.
• Can make small incision directly over calculus on ventral penis for removal. Catheter inserted into the urethra, both proximally & distally, to search for further stones and to ensure urethral patency. The urethra may be sutured if there is no necrosis, w SI or simple continuous absorbable sutures going down to, but not through, urethral mucosa.
• Penis replaced & dorsal 1/3 of skin incision is closed
• With necrosis of, urethra & skin incisions left to heal by 2nd intention.
• With damage to the penis & surrounding tissues, transection & extirpation of the penis are performed: penis is dissected from dorsal arteries & veins & transected to leave 8-12cm proximal stump. Arteries & vv appear ventral to the exposed stump of the penis. These vessels are ligated (some surgeons do not consider this necessary).
• Penile stump should be of sufficient length so no tension when sutured to skin
• Exposed penis is directed caudoventrad & is anchored to skin w 2 sutures, passing through skin, tunica albuginea, CCP, without compromising urethral lumen
• Urethra at end of penile stump is split, & edges sutured to lateral aspects of penis.
• W urethral rupture - ++ cellulitis; make several bold, longitudinal incisions lateral to the prepuce with a scalpel, for drainage

Question 20

Most common site of penile haematomas in bulls

What is the usual cause?

Answer 20

Penile hematomas usually result from a rupture of tunica albuginea on the dorsal aspect of the distal bend of the sigmoid flexure, opposite insertion of retractor penis mm.

Swelling dt hematoma usually occurs near distal sigmoid flexure, which in standing bulls is near the base of the scrotum, or in the proximal half of the sheath.

The size of the defect in the tunica albuginea varies & probably related to the amount of intracorporeal blood pressure at the time of rupture. The amount of extravasated blood may be related to the length of time erection is maintained after injury or more likely the number of subsequent attempts to achieve an erection

Penile hematomas occur during breeding when the bull fails to achieve intromission prior to the copulatory thrust, resulting in a bending of the erect penis. Preputial prolapse frequently accompanies penile hematomas & has been reported as 1 of the most common presenting complaints .

Question 21

Treatment of penile haematomas

Answer 21

• Medical tx = hot packs, warm hydrotherapy, penicillin 2 weeks, & US tx to speed resorption of the hematoma.
• Decision for sx usually based on size of the hematoma, length of time between accident & tx, and value of the bull. Generally larger haematoms more likely to req sx. Sx success much worse @ 14d post injury, so generally operate sooner the better
• Lateral w local or GA
• 13cm skin incision in a cranioventral direction over most prominent part of swelling, through SQ into haematoma (not incising penis itself)
• Manually remove clots
• In acute cases, rent in tunica albuginea readily ID. More difficult where chronic - fibrin & granulation tissue; req careful dissection to locate rent. Beware/avoid dorsal nerves of penis
• Edges of the rent are debrided & sutured w SI 0 or 2-0 synthetic absorbable suture.
• Alt: continuous bootlace pattern to minimize knots
• Preferable to suture the defect as vascular shunts may form between CCP & dorsal vessels.
• Fascial layers of the penis are sutured w 2-0 synthetic absorbable simple continuous pattern.
• Skin closed w SI or vertical mattress nonabsorbable sutures.
• W marked preputial inflammation, swelling, or prolapse (difficulty w manual retraction of the penis); umbilical tape suture is placed through the dorsal aspect of the penis under the apical ligament and tied. NOT through tunica abugenia or urethra

Question 22

Whats the diagnosis?

What is important to observe diagnostically?

How is this condition managed?

Answer 22

Dx - spiral deviation/corkscrew penis, dt slippage of the APICAL ligament

Important to observe natural breeding - this is a normal penile position that usually occurs after intromission. Occurring before prevents intromission. Can be missed or artificially induced by electroejaculation so not useful diagnostically.

Tx - anchoring of the apical ligament

• GA or standing
• 10cm incision over dorsal penis w penis extended, from 3cm caudal to tip
• Dissect to expose apical ligament, identify lateral borders & suture to adjacent tunica albuginea (without penetrating TA full thickness) w absorbable SI suture.
• Routine skin closure & 6-8wk sexual rest
• Alt: augment apical ligament w graft of strips of fascia lata or synthetic materail.
• Graft harvested via 15cm skin incision from TC to patella. Take 3-4 0.5cm wide 10cm long strips
• Suture via open (as above) or closed techniques - 2cm longitudinal incision dorsal penis then tread fascial strips along dorsum of penis - not sutures in place.

Question 23

Whats the diagnosis?

Tx options?

Answer 23

FIBROPAPILLOMA most common penile tumour in bulls - vs SCC in EQ
Many regress but may take time & interfere w intromission

Sx tx incl. sharp dissection, electrocautery & cryotherapy

Question 24

Diagnosis & treatment

Answer 24

Persistent frenulum - most preputial/penile separation complete by 9-12mo - some retain 1 or more strands of tissue, usually along ventral edge

Sx - extend penis as much as poss. Place ligatures & cut between. Can use 1wk PO

Question 25

Which breeds are predisposed to preputial prolapse & why

Answer 25

Preputial damage almost always dt breeding injury. Preputial laceration occurs longitudinally on the ventral aspect of the penis as the bull attempts to breed Wound contracttion / scarring occurs in transverse direction; why the prolapsed prepuce will curve caudally = “elephant trunk” appearance. Breeds most often affected are Bos indicus breeds (Brahman & Santa Gertrudis) and polled Bos taurus breeds (Angus & Polled Hereford). Reasons for breed differences are a pendulous sheath & absence of retractor muscles of prepuce in polled breeds.

Question 26

Surgical management of preputial prolapse

Answer 26

1. Medical/ pre sx tx necessary to ↓ swelling ➾ hydrotherapy & preputial support. Eg pressure bandage. The prepuce is coated with a lanolin-based ointment and covered w stockinette. Rubber tube placed in preputial cavity extending from 2cm outside the prolapsed prepuce proximally to just above the level that sheath starts to widen near the body wall, which will be the proximal extent of the bandage. Elastic adhesive tape is then used to very snuggly wrap from the distal aspect of the prolapsed prepuce up onto the haired sheath. 2. Preputial amputation/circumcision. Prolapsed portion of prepuce to be resected is extended with the left hand, the index finger of which is placed inside the prepuce. Amputation line is oblique, so resulting orifice is oval, rather than circular. This ↓ danger of phimosis during healing. A row of horizontal mattress sutures of no. 0 or no. 1 synthetic absorbable suture is placed around the prolapse immediately proximal to the proposed line of amputation, so they overlap 1 another around the entire circumference and are passed from the exposed preputial skin completely through to the preputial cavity and back through both layers of the prepuce. These sutures are tied to oppose the tissue, & theprepuce is amputated just distal to the suture line. Preputial edges then opposed w simple continuous suture line w 0 synthetic absorbable suture material 3. Alt: resection of affected prepuce with penis extended; ie reefing technique. After, suture a Penrose drain over the end of the penis, with 4 SI sutures of 2-0 absorbable material, to allow urine flow to bypass the incision. Loose purse-string placed in preputial orifice to maintain prepuce & penis in the sheath.

Question 27

Procedure for penile translocation in teaser bulls

Answer 27

* GA or sedation, in dorsolateral recumb. * Skin incision around preputial orifice approx 3cm from opening, & ventral midline skin incision extended caudad from this, to within 5cm of the teats near the base of the scrotum * Continued through SQ; & penis, prepuce, & surrounding elastic tissue are dissected free from abdominal wall. Sterile stomach tube placed within the preputial orifice helps to delineate the prepuce during dissection and may also help to prevent urine contamination of sx site * During dissection, maintain the integrity of the blood supply of the penis. Haemostasis by ligation. * Circular skin incision made in the ventral left-flank & w sponge forceps, a SQ tunnel is made from the circular flank incision to caudal end of midline incision * Sterile glove placed over preputial orifice, to prevent contamination as drawn through the tunnel. * Skin of preputial orifice sutured to circular skin incision. 2 layers; SQ & skin, ensuring no twisting has occurred during translocation. * Ventral midline incision then closed w nonabsorbable sutures.

Question 28

Technique for penile fixation (phallopexy) for creation of teaser bulls

Answer 28

* 10cm longitudinal incision midway between preputial orifice & base of scrotum at junction of sheath & ventral body wall, 2 cm off midline, through skin, SQ, & cutaneous trunci. * Blunt dissection through loose connective tissue to isolate dorsal surface of the penis. ID urethral groove; if penis has not been rotated during the surgery, should be on ventral surface of the penis. * Exteriorise penis & ID preputial reflection. Dorsal surface of penis is cleared of elastic tunics, exposing tough fibrous tunica albuginea. Linea alba then cleared of all of its loose connective tissue. The tunica albuginea of the **dorsal** surface of the penis is apposed to the linea alba w 2 nylon through the dorsal 1/3 of the penis, then linea alba. * Usually, 3 interrupted sutures placed 1–2cm apart is adequate, usually preplaced & tied together. * Skin is closed w 1 or 2 monofilament suture. * This technique results in a permanent adhesion between the tunica albuginea and the linea alba. Ideally, the bull should have 2–3 weeks of sexual rest before use, to allow adhesion to develop.

Question 29

Main blood dupply to cattle uterus

Answer 29

uterine artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery, is the main blood supply to the uterus. The uterus is also in part supplied by the ovarian artery at the tubal ends of the horns and by the vaginal artery in the caudal portion of the body. Branches of these vessels also form anastomoses with the uterine artery

Question 30

Approaches for caesarean in cattle

Answer 30

1. Left flank - standard incision for a viable or recently expired, uncontaminated fetus and a cow capable of tolerating surgery while standing 2. Right flank - less common; may be with marked distention of the rumen or when clinical examination dictates that removal from the right side would be more convenient 3. Ventral paramedian - dead and emphysematous fetus. Alt is ventral midline or left ventral oblique

Question 31

Advantages of the Urtecht suture pattern for closure of hysterotomy

Answer 31

Imporved fertility 78-97% Quick to perform, minimal suture exposed on serosal surface Should used fast absorbing suture to mininse chance of adhesion formation

Question 32

Use of & procedure for Buhner suture

Answer 32

Used to retain vaginal prolapse * Prolapse reduced * Transverse skin incision 1cm long made midway between dorsal commissure of vulva & anus. * 2nd horizontal incision 3cm below ventral commissure of the vulva. * Perivaginal needle introduced into ventral skin incision & driven perivaginally through deep SQ tissues parallel to the vulva, w 1 hand in the vagina to guide the needle. * Needle driven as deep as poss (5–8cm) & directed out the dorsal skin incision * Sterile umbilical tape threaded through the eye of the needle & drawn down to emerge through the ventral skin incision. Tape is held at the dorsal incision, so the end is not lost in the tissue. * Needle then threaded up the contralateral side of the vulva (about 5–8cm) to emerge through the dorsal incision. The tape is threaded into the eye of the needle once again & needle is withdrawn ventrally; 2 free ends of tape emerging from the ventral skin incision. * 2 ends are tied, so resulting suture will admit 2–3 fingers. If a square knot is used to anchor the tape, the knot will bury itself. Dorsal & ventral incisions may be closed with a SI nonabsorbable suture * If the cow is close to calving, tape best secured in the ventral incision with a bow knot, allowing suture to be removed or undone to reduce tension at parturition.