Abstract
This report compared paramedian and flank approaches for the effective removal of abdominal unilateral cryptorchidism in calves. Two Korean native calves of approximately 300 kg in body weight, which had undergone the removal of a testis from the scrotum, were diagnosed as having abdominal unilateral (left) cryptorchidism by rectal palpation. One calf was administered with xylazine (0.2 mg/kg, IV) and was restrained in the dorsal recumbency position on the ground of barn for the paramedian approach, while the other calf was sedated with xylazine (0.03 mg/kg, IV) and restrained in the standing position for a flank approach. For the two calves, 2% lidocaine was administered by local infiltration, along the proposed incision line. Following incisions of the skin, muscle and peritoneum, the testis, which was located between the left kidney and inguinal canal, was grasped, exteriorized out of the abdominal cavity and detached from the gubernaculum testis. Then spermatic cord was ligated and cut. Finally, the testis was removed. An assistant was required to restraint a calf in dorsal recumbency for paramedian approach, and cryptorchidectomy was carried out with operator in a rather uncomfortable squatting posture, while restraint was rather simple and cryptorchidectomy was proceeded with operator in a standing posture where the flank approach was taken. During surgery, the gubernaculum testis was more strained during pulling the testis in the flank approach than in the paramedian approach, as the distance between incision site and the gubernaculum testis was greater in the flank approach than that in the paramedian approach. On the other hand, intra-abdominal pressure was greater in the paramedian approach than in the flank approach during surgery. The elapsed time between restraint and the end of surgery was 10 min shorter where the flank approach (35 min) was taken, than where the paramedian approach (45 min) was taken. In conclusion, this case study demonstrated that the flank approach might be more convenient than the paramedian approach for abdominal unilateral cryptorchidectomy in calves.
