A scrotal approach to canine castration can be performed on any dog for which prescrotal castration is appropriate. In the authors’ experience, the procedure carries the benefits of reduced time to locate, manipulate, and isolate the testicle prior to the initial incision as well as reduced time in closing the incision. In most cases, incision length is smaller than in prescrotal castrations because of the increased mobility and maneuverability of the testicle in the scrotal (vs prescrotal) position. In addition, the scrotal skin is more elastic, allowing for easier exteriorization of the testicle through a smaller incision as the skin stretches. These improvements in surgical efficiency translate into reduced anesthetic and surgical times, factors well-correlated with reduced risk for surgical-site infections.12,13 The risk for inadvertent ligation or accidental laceration of the urethra during closure of a prescrotal castration is eliminated with the scrotal approach; in addition, less suture is implanted, resulting in decreased procedural cost.

Another benefit of the scrotal approach becomes apparent in the event of incomplete ligation of the spermatic cord resulting in postoperative hemorrhage. As the incision is only partially closed, postoperative hemorrhage is readily identified and can often be addressed through the existing surgical site. Postoperative hemorrhage in a patient that underwent an alternate castration approach is often more difficult to detect until the scrotum begins to swell. The authors have not encountered a case of postoperative hemorrhage in which the spermatic cord retracted into the abdomen and was not retrievable through the original surgical site; this is likely secondary to the comparatively more distal location of spermatic cord ligation with the scrotal approach.