Vascular corrosion casts of the dog testis after experimental microvascular surgical orchiopexy. A scanning electron microscope study

Five mongrel dogs underwent microvascular surgical orchiopexy by anastomosing the testicular artery and vein with the respective caudal epigastric vessels. In order to assess the effect of a 40 to 50-min period of warm ischaemia (the time required to make the anastomosis) on the testicular blood vasculature, plastic corrosion casts were made of the operated testes and compared with non-operated control specimens. The resulting blood vessel casts were inspected in the scanning electron microscope. One case of testicular atrophy developed, caused by a postoperative wound abscess. Comparing operated with non-operated testes, no differences in vascularisation, pattern or density of arterial supply, capillary network and venous drainage were seen. These findings are in agreement with data from the literature concerning histological, hormonal and clinical results.