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2- to 5-cm incision in the scrotum (Figure 4). The
first testicle was delivered through a scrotal incision
near the median raphe, and a closed castration was
performed as described for the prescrotal technique.
The procedure was repeated for the second testicle
using the same incision. A single subcutaneous
suture was placed in the scrotal incision by using 2-0
polyglactin 910 suture (Figure 5).
Results
Four hundred thirty-seven dogs met the inclusion
criteria for this study. The average weight of the
dogs included was 17 kg and ranged from 3 to 60
kg. The prescrotal approach was performed on 206
dogs, and 231 were castrated by using the scrotal
approach. Surgeries were performed by nine licensed
veterinarians. All veterinarians were proficient in
high-quality high-volume spay-neuter techniques
and had a minimum of four years of experience.
No complications were noted during the surgical
procedures.
For statistical purposes, the frequencies of
complications were categorised by method and
location (Table 1). The mean weights for dogs with
or without complications are also presented in Table
1. The results of the multivariable logistic regression
analysis are listed in Table 2. (See Data assessment.)
It is interesting to note that 54 dogs (prescrotal = 34;
scrotal = 20) were recorded as inflicting self-trauma
through biting, licking or chewing their incisions (Table
1). The odds of self-trauma were 1.96 times greater
(P = 0.04) in dogs undergoing the prescrotal method
than in those castrated by the scrotal method when
adjusted for state and weight (Table 2).
Fig 5. A single subcutaneous suture was placed in the scrotal
incision by using 2-0 polyglactin 910 suture. Both groups of
dogs were tattooed to identify the procedure performed.
Postoperative monitoring
The dogs were placed in a cage or run and monitored
during recovery. Dogs were ultimately returned to
the shelter environment within two hours. Privately
owned dogs were returned to their owners about 24
hours after surgery.
Dogs treated at MSU were monitored by shelter
employees, while dogs treated at HA were monitored
by individual owners. Whenever possible, the same
individual assessed multiple dogs. All observers were
given verbal and written instructions concerning proper
observation and documentation of complications on
a provided questionnaire (see Castration postoperative
assessment form). Complications were defined as
the presence and absence of haemorrhage (blood
from the incision site), pain (vocalization on palpation
of the incision site), self-trauma (licking, chewing or
scratching at the incision), and swelling of the incision
site or scrotum. Swelling was evaluated two, four, six,
24, 48 and 72 hours after surgery.
The odds of haemorrhage (26.45), pain (8.11) or self-
trauma (14.66) were significantly greater (P < 0.01),
when adjusted for method and weight, in dogs
castrated at MSU than in those castrated at HA. The
odds of haemorrhage, when adjusted for method and
state, were 1.04 times greater (P = 0.02) for each 1-kg
increase in weight of the dog.
The odds of swelling from two to six hours after surgery
were significantly greater (P < 0.01), when adjusted
for method and weight, in dogs castrated at MSU;
however, the odds of swelling from 24 to 72 hours
were significantly less (P ≤ 0.04) in dogs castrated at
MSU.
Overall, dogs with prescrotal incisions had significantly
higher incidence of self-trauma. These data are
noteworthy considering the perception of scrotal
consciousness in dogs and do not support the concern
that a scrotal approach may increase the incidence
of self-trauma. 8 Larger dogs had greater odds for
haemorrhage, but that was found to be independent
of method.
The length of surgery was recorded for cases at
MSU. A significant difference (P < 0.01) was recorded
between the two procedures, with the average surgical
time for the scrotal approach being 5.1 minutes and
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