IN FOCUS with Dr Charlotte Cantley

Castration of horses using the Henderson technique

Castration is the most common operation performed on horses each year. A
multitude of complications can occur, the most common of which are haemorrhage
and swelling. Other possible complications are intestinal evisceration, infection
or fluid accumulation in the cord, and peritonitis. The Henderson castration
technique is a revolutionary closed castration method that was developed in the
USA to help decrease some of these complications. This method uses a rotary or
spinning action of the instrument to ligate the vasculature of the testicular cord,
thus decreasing bleeding after castration and reducing the degree of swelling and
risk of evisceration.
The Henderson equine castrating instrument is used on a 3/8 inch variable speed
cordless hand drill with a neutral switch. 14volt or higher is recommended and
lithium batteries are preferred as they last longer and clearly indicate the remaining
degree of charge with a series of lights!
Castration can be performed on-farm, but the anaesthetic is critical to the success
of the procedure. Surgery is best performed in dorsal recumbency and is slightly
more painful than conventional techniques using emasculators. It is very important
that the horse is well anaesthetised so that he doesn’t move during the surgery to
avoid excessive traction being applied to the drill during rotation of the cord. This
could result in premature severing and bleeding.
Dr Paul Fraser has extensive experience with the Henderson castrator and
recommends the following anaesthetic protocol for a 500kg horse: Sedate with
7.5ml 10% xylazine and 0.5 ml butorphanol and place a 16g IV catheter.
When the horse is well sedated 180ml GGE is injected IV using 3 X 60ml
syringes and then 15ml ketamine is given IV. (An alternative to using the GGE
is to administer 5ml diazepam IV at the same time as the ketamine and to place
6ml local anaesthetic into each cord at surgery before the Henderson clamp is
applied).
Tetanus antitoxin is administered s/c and 2 grams of IV phenyl butazone is
recommended.
A routine closed castration approach is made to the testicles. Swabs are used
to strip the fat off the cord right down to the level of the external inguinal ring
and the Henderson clamp is placed just below the testicle with the concave
surface facing the testicle. The drill is attached to the clamp (ensure battery is fully
charged!) and start very slowly for the first 2 to 3 rotations before slowly increasing
to full speed until the cord breaks off naturally. NEVER put the cord under tension
by pulling on the drill when rotation is in process as early breakage may occur
before full torsion of blood vessels has occurred, resulting in haemorrhage. The
Henderson clamp can be soaked in a hibitane solution between testicles and
then the process is repeated on the other side after re-gloving - necessary due
to the non-sterile power drill being used. Disposable exam gloves are adequate
for this technique rather than sterile surgical gloves. Post-operative management,
including cold hosing and exercise, appear not to be required using this technique
due to the decreased degree of swelling that is likely, compared to other common
techniques. The Henderson castration technique does not eliminate the risk
factors of equine castration, but it does considerably reduce them.
The Henderson clamps are available as a larger equine clamp for adult horses
and a smaller cattle clamp that is suited to bulls, miniature horses and donkeys.
The equine Henderson instrument has wider jaws than the cattle instrument to
accommodate the larger cord on colts and stallions.
Tip: The Henderson instrument fits perfectly in to a plastic
vaccine box for transit. This box can be filled with hibitane
solution during surgery to soak the clamp between testicles.
Thanks to Charlotte Cantley for supplying this months equine
article. We look forward to more in the future.
Acknowledgements: Dr Paul Fraser, Cambridge Equine Hospital