A review of prevention and management of castration complications

Despite castration being one of the most frequently performed elective equine surgical procedures, complication rates are high and range from severe life-threatening conditions to mild complications that are of no consequence to the horse. This article will briefly review strategies to prevent complications and surgical castration techniques before reviewing, in-depth, the following complications: excessive scrotal swelling and seroma formation, scrotal infection, septic funiculitis, septic peritonitis, haemorrhage, evisceration, omental prolapse, pyrexia, tetanus, penile trauma, hydrocele, signs of colic and continued stallion-like behaviour. Whilst this list of complications can be daunting, an understanding of male anatomy, castration techniques and an awareness of possible complications can reduce both the incidence and mortality of complications, should they occur. This article will consider castrations performed in both a hospital and field setting and will review complication prevention, surgical techniques of castration and the management of intraoperative and postoperative complications.