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Laparoscopic removal of a large abdominal testicular teratoma in a standing horse
Nicola C Cribb1, Ludovic P Bouré
1Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada. ncribb@uoguelph.ca
Objective:
To describe laparoscopic removal of a large testicular teratoma in a standing horse.
Study Design:
Clinical report.
Animals:
Thoroughbred horse (11 months) with a testicular teratoma.
Methods:
A unilateral cryptorchid testicle could not be removed by an inguinal approach under general anesthesia because of it s large size. After recovery from general anesthesia, ultrasound evaluation revealed a 24 x 19 cm fluid-filled testicular mass. The mass was removed by paralumbar fossa laparoscopy with the horse in a standing position. After fluid aspiration of the mass, the mesorchium and ductus deferens were ligated with extracorporeal knots and the mass retrieved inside a laparoscopic specimen pouch. Morphologic features were consistent with a teratoma.
Results:
Laparoscopic-guided aspiration of fluid from the teratoma decreased mass size and increased ease of manipulation and retrieval. Retrieval of the teratoma in a laparoscopic specimen pouch prevented loss of abdominal insufflation, helped reduce fluid leakage, and potential seeding of neoplastic cells.
Conclusion:
Use of laparoscopy for removal of neoplastic cryptorchid testicles offers many advantages including minimal invasiveness and increased safety associated with good visibility of structures.
Clinical Relevance:
Standing laparoscopic surgery should be considered for removal of testicular neoplasms in horses.
