Laparoscopic castration of the cryptorchid horses under general anesthesia

Cryptorchid castration is commonly performed in the horse. During the previ ous two years thirty cryptorchid horses were operated using a laparoscopic technique in conjunction with general anesthesia at the Large Animal Surgic al Clinic of the University of Leipzig. Nine of the horses had a history of having been castrated, but they had retained stallion-like behavior. This article describes equipment and surgical technique used as well as complica tions encountered. Advantages and disadvantages of this method versus conve ntional surgical techniques and laparoscopic procedures in the standing pos ition are discussed.