Abstract
Background:
Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by equine practitioners, due to an owner’s desire to reduce or avoid aggressive behaviour in animals not used for breeding, and risk of inguinal herniation, testicular trauma or neoplasia. Because of this, castration is a basic competency for junior veterinarians entering equine practice. Although castration is considered routine, complications can occur, and these are a common cause of malpractice claims against equine practitioners. For this reason, it is essential that veterinary students are confident and proficient to perform this procedure before graduation.
Summary of Work:
The priorities of our model development were to select components that would allow repeated practice of the procedural elements. Specifically; maintaining sterility, skin incision, testicle exteriorisation, scrotal fascia stripping, ligature placement, emasculator placement and assessment of successful haemostasis. To do this, we developed our testicles using 3D modelling software. We then 3D printed 2-part moulds which were used to cast the testicles using Ecoflex 00-30 silicone. We attached two replaceable silicone tubes to the proximal portion of the testicles (“vessels and vas deferens”). The testicles were inserted into several layers of material: 1) siliconised stockings with lubricant (“parietal tunic”), 2) stockings with the toe removed and located over the proximal third portion of the testicle (“scrotal fascia”), 3) latex balloon (“tunica dartos”) 4) silicone swimming cap (“skin”). The inguinal region of a recumbent horse was simulated using thermoplastic material, placed over a horse cadaver, and moulded using a heat gun. Two holes were created to simulate the inguinal rings and the stockings were passed through. The formal validation of the model is in progress.
Take Home Message:
The equine male reproductive system can be simulated using 3D printing and affordable materials, enabling repeated practice at the closed castration technique in a recumbent horse.
Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by equine practitioners, due to an owner’s desire to reduce or avoid aggressive behaviour in animals not used for breeding, and risk of inguinal herniation, testicular trauma or neoplasia. Because of this, castration is a basic competency for junior veterinarians entering equine practice. Although castration is considered routine, complications can occur, and these are a common cause of malpractice claims against equine practitioners. For this reason, it is essential that veterinary students are confident and proficient to perform this procedure before graduation.
Summary of Work:
The priorities of our model development were to select components that would allow repeated practice of the procedural elements. Specifically; maintaining sterility, skin incision, testicle exteriorisation, scrotal fascia stripping, ligature placement, emasculator placement and assessment of successful haemostasis. To do this, we developed our testicles using 3D modelling software. We then 3D printed 2-part moulds which were used to cast the testicles using Ecoflex 00-30 silicone. We attached two replaceable silicone tubes to the proximal portion of the testicles (“vessels and vas deferens”). The testicles were inserted into several layers of material: 1) siliconised stockings with lubricant (“parietal tunic”), 2) stockings with the toe removed and located over the proximal third portion of the testicle (“scrotal fascia”), 3) latex balloon (“tunica dartos”) 4) silicone swimming cap (“skin”). The inguinal region of a recumbent horse was simulated using thermoplastic material, placed over a horse cadaver, and moulded using a heat gun. Two holes were created to simulate the inguinal rings and the stockings were passed through. The formal validation of the model is in progress.
Take Home Message:
The equine male reproductive system can be simulated using 3D printing and affordable materials, enabling repeated practice at the closed castration technique in a recumbent horse.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 50 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2023 |
| Event | International symposium of the Veterinary Schools Council 2023 (VetEd 2023) - The University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom Duration: 5 Jul 2023 → 7 Jul 2023 https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/news-events/new-events/veted-2023 https://www.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/atoms/files/veted2023-conference-book.pdf |
Conference
| Conference | International symposium of the Veterinary Schools Council 2023 (VetEd 2023) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | VetEd 2023 |
| Place | United Kingdom |
| City | Edinburgh |
| Period | 5/07/23 → 7/07/23 |
| Internet address |