Laparoscopic removal of a large abdominal testicular teratoma in a standing horse.

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.