Development of a Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Model of Induced Abdominal Cryptorchidism in Equids for Surgical Training and Reproductive Research | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences | ||
| Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 17 November 2025 PDF (695.84 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejvs.2025.392024.2890 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Abdullah Habib AL Salem1; Mohamed Marzok2; Rasha Yassin Elkhidr1; Mohammed Sami Almohaimeed1; Mohamed W. El-Sherif* 3; Mahmoud S. Saber4; Mahmoud A Hassan4 | ||
| 1Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Ahsaa 31982, Saudia Arabia. | ||
| 2Department of Clinical studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University. | ||
| 3Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Al kharga, New Valley 27511, Egypt. | ||
| 4Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Al Kharga, New Valley 27511, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study developed and evaluated a hand-assisted laparoscopic technique for inducing abdominal cryptorchidism in equids as a novel surgical model. Five healthy animals (2 horses, 3 donkeys) aged 5 months to 17 years underwent standardized procedures under general anesthesia. The technique involved laparoscopic-guided testicular relocation through manually dilated inguinal rings, with confirmation of intra-abdominal positioning and external ring closure. All procedures were successfully completed with a mean operative time of 52.4 ± 8.3 minutes, demonstrating consistent reproducibility across age groups. Juvenile animals required less surgical time (47.5 ± 4.9 min) than adults (55.3 ± 8.1 min), reflecting anatomical differences in inguinal canal development. Intraoperative visualization enabled precise testicular manipulation without hemorrhage or visceral injury in all cases. A single instance of self-resolving subcutaneous emphysema represented the sole complication. Postoperative pain scores (EQUUS-FAP) remained low (median 4/20), confirming the technique's minimal invasiveness. The model addresses a critical gap in large animal reproductive research by providing a standardized platform for studying testicular pathophysiology and refining cryptorchidism treatments. While results show excellent short-term feasibility, limitations include small sample size and mixed-species composition. Future studies should validate long-term testicular changes histologically and compare outcomes with natural cryptorchid cases. This laparoscopic approach offers significant advantages over open techniques, including enhanced visualization, reduced morbidity, and potential applications in surgical training programs. The study establishes a foundation for translational research in equine reproductive surgery with implications for understanding cryptorchidism across species. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Animal Model; Cryptorchid; Equine; Laparoscopy; Surgery | ||
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