Preputial Pouch Technique in Bulls: Ventral Slot Surgery with Preputial Orifice Obliteration

The preputial pouch technique in bulls creates a fistula on the ventral prepuce and closes the normal preputial orifice. This technique prevents penile extension but allows the passage of urine through the ventral fistula.

Indications

• Preparation of teaser bulls
• Prevention of natural mating
• Alternative to penile translocation or penectomy
• Management of penile dysfunction (trauma or congenital)

Preparations

This procedure is performed in lateral recumbency and can be accomplished with tilt chute restraint or sedation with local infiltration of 2% lidocaine.

The ventral abdomen is clipped and prepared from the umbilicus to the mid sheath region of the bull.

Surgical Procedure

Prior to initiating surgery, the penis is extended and a Penrose drain is sutured around the glans penis with 2-0 polydioxanone (PDS).

An approximately 1-cm-diameter elliptical incision is made through the skin 7 cm caudal to the preputial orifice.

The skin incision is extended through the preputial mucosa. The excised skin and mucosa are discarded.

Then the internal mucosa of the prepuce is sutured to the skin of the sheath to create the fistula by an interrupted non-absorbable suture pattern is recommended.

Once suturing is complete, the free end of the Penrose drain is placed through the fistula.

The Penrose drain will facilitate urine divergence while the primary incision sites heal.

The preputial orifice obliteration is accomplished by removing approximately 5 mm of the sheath skin and prepuce mucosal junction around the entire preputial orifice.

This incision is closed in three layers: preputial epithelium, subcutaneous layer, and skin.

The Penrose drain and sutures can be removed in two weeks. Allow three weeks of postoperative recovery time prior to utilizing the teaser bull.

The critical step in the preputial pouch technique is the size of the fistula. If the fistula is too small, proper urine flow is obstructed.

If the fistula is too large, penile extension can occur with potential breeding.

Therefore it is recommended to perform a vasectomy or epididymectomy to ensure sterility of the bull.

Some bulls may pool urine in their preputial pouch and require postoperative flushing of the pouch.

Thus this technique is not recommended for Bos indicus breeds since their pendulous sheath would predispose them to urine pooling and calculi formation.

Post Operative Care

• Monitor for proper urine flow through the fistula
• Remove Penrose drain and sutures after two weeks
• Allow three weeks of recovery before using bull as teaser
• Flush preputial pouch if urine pooling occurs
• Monitor for signs of infection or inflammation