Evaluation of Early Healing and Complications Following Prescrotal and Scrotal Castration in Dogs

Öz

This study compared the short-term (14-day) effects of prescrotal and scrotal castration techniques on postoperative wound outcomes and complications in dogs. Sixty clinically healthy male dogs aged 1–3 years were randomly allocated to prescrotal (n=30) or scrotal (n=30) castration. Operative time was recorded, and surgical sites were evaluated on postoperative days 3, 7, and 14 for oedema, exudation, and suture loss count (number of missing or loosened skin sutures relative to those placed at closure). The scrotal technique resulted in a significantly shorter operative time than the prescrotal technique (p<0.001). However, early postoperative inflammatory findings were more pronounced in the scrotal group, with higher oedema and exudation scores, particularly on days 3 and 7 (p<0.05). By postoperative day 14, complete clinical wound healing was observed in both groups. In conclusion, while scrotal castration offers a clear advantage in operative time, the prescrotal approach is associated with more favourable early postoperative wound findings. These results highlight the need to consider both operative efficiency and short-term wound outcomes when selecting a castration technique in dogs.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Castration
• Dog
• Wound Healing

Köpeklerde Preskrotal ve Skrotal Kastrasyon Sonrası Erken İyileşme ve Komplikasyonların Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Bu çalışma, köpeklerde preskrotal ve skrotal kastrasyon tekniklerinin kısa dönem (14 gün) postoperatif yara iyileşmesi ve komplikasyon göstergeleri üzerindeki etkilerini karşılaştırmak amacıyla yürütüldü. Yaşları 1–3 yıl arasında değişen, klinik olarak sağlıklı 60 erkek köpek rastgele iki gruba ayrıldı (preskrotal n=30; skrotal n=30). Operasyon süresi kaydedildi ve cerrahi alan postoperatif 3., 7. ve 14. günlerde ödem, eksudasyon ve sütür kaybı (kapanışta yerleştirilen sütürlere göre kaybolan/gevşeyen sütür sayısı) açısından değerlendirildi. Skrotal teknik, preskrotal tekniğe kıyasla operasyon süresini anlamlı düzeyde kısalttı (p<0.001). Buna karşın, erken postoperatif dönemde (özellikle 3. ve 7. günlerde) ödem ve eksudasyon skorları skrotal grupta daha yüksekti (p<0.05). Postoperatif 14. günde her iki grupta da tam klinik yara iyileşmesi gözlendi. Sonuç olarak, skrotal yaklaşım cerrahi süre açısından avantaj sağlarken, preskrotal yaklaşım daha düşük erken dönem inflamatuvar bulgularla ilişkilidir. Bu bulgular, köpek kastrasyonunda teknik seçimi yapılırken cerrahi süre ile kısa dönem yara bulgularının birlikte değerlendirilmesi gerektiğini göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kastrasyon
• Köpek
• Yara İyileşmesi

Kaynakça

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