Laparoscopic Removal of a Large Abdominal Testicular Teratoma in a Standing Horse

Objective To describe laparoscopic removal of a large testicular teratoma in a standing horse. Study Design Clinical report. Animals Thoroughbred horse (11 months) with a testicular teratoma. Methods A unilateral cryptorchid testicle could not be removed by an inguinal approach under general anesthesia because of it s large size. After recovery from general anesthesia, ultrasound evaluation revealed a 24 x 19 cm fluid-filled testicular mass. The mass was removed by paralumbar fossa laparoscopy with the horse in a standing position. After fluid aspiration of the mass, the mesorchium and ductus deferens were ligated with extracorporeal knots and the mass retrieved inside a laparoscopic specimen pouch. Morphologic features were consistent with a teratoma. Results Laparoscopic-guided aspiration of fluid from the teratoma decreased mass size and increased ease of manipulation and retrieval. Retrieval of the teratoma in a laparoscopic specimen pouch prevented loss of abdominal insufflation, helped reduce fluid leakage, and potential seeding of neoplastic cells. Conclusion Use of laparoscopy for removal of neoplastic cryptorchid testicles offers many advantages including minimal invasiveness and increased safety associated with good visibility of structures. Clinical Relevance Standing laparoscopic surgery should be considered for removal of testicular neoplasms in horses.