A scoping review on intraoperative and postoperative surgical castration complications in domesticated equids

Rodden, Elise B.K.; Suthers, Joanna M.; Busschers, Evita; Burford, John H.; Freeman, Sarah L.

Abstract

Background: Castration is the most common surgical procedure in domesticated equids; surgical techniques used and perioperative management vary considerably. Objectives: To identify and chart the current evidence on perioperative complications associated with different methods of surgical castration in domesticated equids. Study design: Joanna Briggs Institute systematic scoping review. Method: CAB Abstracts, Medline and Embase databases were searched using terms related to equine castration complications. Two authors independently and blindly screened publications against eligibility criteria. Data on study methods, perioperative management, surgical techniques, and perioperative complications were extracted. Surgical techniques were grouped into categories depending on technique; open, closed or half-closed, and whether the parietal tunic was open or closed at the end of surgery. Results: The search identified 1871 publications; 71 studies met the final inclusion criteria. The data reported 76 734 castrations, most of which were open or closed, with the vaginal tunic remaining open at the end of surgery. Twenty-five studies reported information regarding surgical techniques and perioperative management, allowing detailed charting and comparisons, of which analgesia and antimicrobial usage varied notably. Eighteen different complications were reported, with swelling or oedema being the most common. Evisceration was most commonly reported in draught breeds and Standardbreds, and the risk appeared low if the parietal tunic was closed at the end of surgery. Main limitations: Grey literature and studies not available in English were not included. Existing studies varied greatly in perioperative management, surgical techniques and reporting of outcomes, making evidence consolidation problematic. Conclusion: A lack of consensus regarding complication definitions creates uncertainty and discrepancies between complication rates associated with different surgical techniques and perioperative management. The implementation of standardised systems for describing surgical techniques and complications is recommended for future studies. A number of studies did not follow current recommendations for perioperative analgesia and use of antimicrobials.

Citation

Rodden, E. B., Suthers, J. M., Busschers, E., Burford, J. H., & Freeman, S. L. (2024). A scoping review on intraoperative and postoperative surgical castration complications in domesticated equids. Equine Veterinary Journal, https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14122

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jun 2, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 12, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 12, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2024
• Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal
• Print ISSN: 0425-1644
• Electronic ISSN: 2042-3306
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14122
• Keywords: castration; emasculation; general anaesthesia; horse; stallion; swelling
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/37157925
• Publisher URL: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14122
• Additional Information: Received: 2023-11-20; Accepted: 2024-06-02; Published: 2024-07-12