AAEP Annual Convention Salt Lake City 2014
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Incidence of Complications Associated With Use of the Henderson Equine Castrating Instrument

Author(s):

O.E. Schroeder, H.W. Aceto, S.J...

In: AAEP Annual Convention - Salt Lake City, 2014 by American Association of Equine Practitioners
Updated:
DEC 10, 2014
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Use of the Henderson equine castrating instrument is becoming more widely accepted in equine ambulatory practice. Its use is associated with a low rate of complication in young horses (≤2 years of age) and a rate of serious complications in all ages of horses similar to other published techniques. Authors’ address: University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 (Levine, Aceto); 20612 276th Avenue SE, Maple Valley, WA 93038 (Schroeder); and 25 Webster Lane, Oxford, PA 19363 (Berkowitz); e-mail: dglevine@vet.upenn.edu.

1. Introduction

Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in equine practice and complications of these surgical procedures are the most common cause for malpractice claims against equine practitioners. The Henderson equine castrating instrument is reported to result in a reduction of intraoperative and postoperative complications due to its technique of spinning and “tying” the vessels of the spermatic cord together with the vaginal tunic.

2. Materials and Methods

One hundred and eighty horses were included in this study and their medical records evaluated for the occurrence of complications. Castrations were performed in dorsal recumbency using injectable anesthesia. Two incisions were made and the testicles were removed using the Henderson equine castrating instrument. The incisions were left open to heal by second intention.

3. Results

The total complication rate was 10% (18/180). Of these complications, 16 were non-life-threatening (swelling, seroma). One horse bilaterally eviscerated upon recovery and was euthanized and another horse developed wound botulism postcastration. Horses three years of age and older were five times more likely to develop a postcastration complication than horses two years of age and younger. 

4. Discussion

Use of the Henderson equine castrating instrument resulted in a low complication rate, especially among younger horses. This rate is similar to castrations performed with other published techniques and validates this technique’s use in horses.

Acknowledgments

Conflict of Interest

The Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication

University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 (Levine, Aceto); 20612 276th Avenue SE, Maple Valley, WA 93038 (Schroeder); and 25 Webster Lane, Oxford, PA 19363 (Berkowitz)

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