09/04/2025
Our surgery team had a unique visitor this week, an approximately 9 month old miniature donkey!
The patient was brought to Dr. Lindsey Johnson and the B.W. Furlong surgery team with what was suspected as an abdominally retained testicle. While his left testicle presented normally, the right was unable to be found through palpation or ultrasound. The lack of presence led the team to believe that the right testicle may be retained within his abdomen - also known as a unilateral cryptorchid. Minimally invasive abdominal laparoscopy was recommended in order to determine if his missing bit of anatomy was in fact within his abdomen, and then remove it!
Before surgery, the mini donkey was fasted to help clear the gastrointestinal tract. Fasting makes it easier to see inside the abdomen with the laparoscope (a long camera) and is also important for the positioning required during laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy. In this position, called “reverse Trendelenburg,” the patient is tilted so that the hind end is raised about 20–25 degrees higher than the head. This angle improves access to the region where abdominally retained testicles are often found.
With the patient anesthetized and positioned for surgery, three small incisions were made in the abdominal wall for the laparoscopic camera and surgical instruments. On the right side of his abdomen, Dr. Johnson was able to identify and grasp the right testicle. The testicle was then released from its abdominal attachments, and then was removed through one of the laparoscopic portals, resulting in a successful scavenger hunt!
Following removal of the right testicle, the patient was returned to a "normal " dorsally recumbent position, and his three incisions were routinely closed. He recovered uneventfully from surgery and is doing well in the hospital!
