34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

Donkeys have larger testicular vessels and increased risk of peri-operative hemorrhage compared with horses which necessitates spermatic cord ligation. This study compares hemorrhagic and infectious complication rates between two methods of spermatic cord ligation in donkeys castrated in rural Malawi.

Methods:

All donkeys presented to castration clinics 02/2020-08/2024 were included.  Routine ‘closed’ castration was performed via scrotal incisions by veterinary students who had undergone training in equine castration. Data recorded included; age, weight, knot type (modified millers’ ligature (MML) / transfixing ligature (TL)), and complications. Complications were classified as infectious, hemorrhagic and other. Hemorrhagic complications were defined as cases where an additional procedure was required to provide adequate hemostasis, including emasculator re-application, second ligature placement and scrotal packing. Association between method of ligation and incidence of all complications, hemorrhagic complications and infectious complications was assessed using chi-squared. Significance was set at 95%.

Results:

Two-hundred sixty-one donkeys were included with a median age of 4.5 years (IQR; 3.5). A significantly greater number of hemorrhagic complications were recorded where a TL was placed (6/157), including one case of severe arterial hemorrhage, compared with placement of a MML (0/104) p<0.05,. No effect of method of ligation was observed for infectious and overall complication rates.

Conclusions:

Emasculation of the spermatic cord as a sole ligation method in donkeys provides inadequate hemostasis; the MML provides excellent hemostasis. The MML had a reduced rate of hemorrhagic complications compared to the TL suggesting it may be easier to apply and safer to use for less experienced veterinary surgeons.