Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Single stage urethroplasty for perineal hypospadias in a horse: A case report.
- Journal:
- Journal of pediatric urology
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Harrison, Jade & Mushtaq, Imran
- Affiliation:
- Urology Department · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This case report describes a thoroughbred foal that had a condition called hypospadias, where the opening of the urethra is not in the usual place, which was causing skin irritation on its hind leg and affecting its ability to race. A specialized surgery called urethroplasty was performed to fix this issue by reshaping the urethra and moving the opening to the correct position. After the surgery, the foal was able to urinate normally, and the skin irritation improved. There was a minor issue with the surgical site that healed on its own, and three years later, the horse was still urinating well and had a successful racing career. Overall, the surgery worked well and restored the horse's function.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Within the veterinary world, data regarding the surgical management of hypospadias is lacking. Reports within equines have documented resective phallectomy procedures rather than urethral reconstruction. This case report documents the first ever urethroplasty for an equine hypospadias, performed by a consultant paediatric surgeon. The urethroplasty was achieved by applying the same surgical principles mastered from paediatric urology to a horse. The indication for surgery was contact dermatitis of the hind-leg, which impaired the thoroughbred foal's racing potential. OPERATION: A single stage urethroplasty was performed, during which the wide urethral plate was tubularised in two layers and the urethral meatus was successfully relocated distally to open upon the glans. The urethroplasty was covered with dartos fascia and the penile shaft skin and prepuce were reconstructed. Post-operatively, urine flowed cranially and the contact dermatitis resolved. Minor superficial wound dehiscence was observed which was managed conservatively and self-resolved. Follow-up at 3 years confirmed the horse continues to void from the re-sited meatus without complication and went on to have an illustrious career within horseracing. CONCLUSION: We have documented the first reconstructive urethroplasty for hypospadias within a horse, achieved by adopting the surgical techniques normally implemented within paediatric urology with good functionality.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27889218/