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Objective: To determine the effect of unilateral laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy and removal of the descended testis on peritoneal fluid values, and to compare effect between 2 methods for cryptorchid testis vessel hemostasis., Study Design: Randomized clinical study., Animals: Stallions (n = 10) with unilateral abdominal cryptorchid testis., Methods: During standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, blood vessels within the mesorchium of the cryptorchid testis were either sealed and transected with the LigaSure Atlas™ or 2 ligating loops were placed proximal to the testis and the tissue transected with laparoscopic scissors. The testis was removed through the body wall. After laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, stallions were anesthetized and the descended testis was removed using a closed technique leaving the scrotal incision open. Abdominocenteses were performed before surgery, and 24, and 72 hours after surgery., Results: Values for peritoneal total nucleated cell count (TNCC), total protein concentration (TP), and red blood cell count (RBCC) were all elevated at 24 and 72 hours when compared with baseline. Median TNCC for LigaSure™ (59,780 cells/μL) was nearly twice that of the ligating loop (32,880 cells/μL) at 24 hours postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in TNCC, TP, or RBCC between groups., Conclusions: TNCC, TP, and RBCC increase appreciably from baseline 24 hours after laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy and closed castration but are markedly reduced by 72 hours., (© Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Objective: To quantify changes in biomechanical stability and stiffness within the equine carpus after removal of 50%, 80%, and 100% of the second metacarpal bone (MC2)., Study Design: In vitro biomechanical study., Methods: Cadaveric equine forelimbs (n = 16) were evaluated. Intact constructs were loaded in axial compression from 0 to 5000 N and compression + torsion (5000 N ± 20°) for 5 cycles. This was repeated after removal of 50%, 80%, and 100% of MC2. The primary biomechanical outcome variables were the compressive stiffness and compressive + torsional stiffness of the carpus. Relative kinematic motion was also evaluated between the second carpal bone (C2) and the radial carpal bone (RC), C2 and the third metacarpal bone (MC3) and C2 and the third carpal bone (C3)., Results: A significant decrease in compressive + torsional stiffness was found after 100% removal of MC2. Compressive stiffness of the carpus did not change after 100% MC2 removal. A significant increase in relative rotation around the z-axis (rotation around the long axis) was observed for C2 versus MC3 and C2 versus C3 when 100% of MC2 was removed as compared to 80%, 50%, and 0% removal. No significant difference in relative rotation between C2 and RC was detected., Conclusions: The biomechanical results reported here suggest that the torsional stability of the equine carpus is significantly decreased only after complete resection of MC2., (© Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)