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Case Reports
. 2025 Jul 15:2025:9036471.
doi: 10.1155/crve/9036471. eCollection 2025.

Partial Phallectomy and Penile Retroversion as a Surgical Approach for Severe Preputial Laceration in a Donkey (Equus asinus)

Letícia Paranhos Rios Andrade  1 , Helena Tavares Dutra  2 , Jéssyca Ataíde Ferreira  1 , Jéssica Sola Quirino da Silva  2 , Mariana Quinan Bittar  2 , Paulo José Bastos Queiroz  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Partial Phallectomy and Penile Retroversion as a Surgical Approach for Severe Preputial Laceration in a Donkey (Equus asinus)

Letícia Paranhos Rios Andrade et al. Case Rep Vet Med. .

Abstract

Penile trauma in equines can cause injuries of varying severity, potentially leading to temporary or permanent dysfunction. In severe cases, various surgical techniques can be employed to restore the animal's quality of life, such as partial phallectomy combined with penile retroversion. However, descriptions of the application of this technique in donkeys are lacking. This report describes the surgical treatment of a donkey with extensive preputial and penile laceration using the technique of partial phallectomy combined with penile retroversion. An 18-month-old intact male donkey presented with extensive preputial and penile lacerations, resulting in the complete rupture of the preputial lamina, permanent penile protrusion, tissue necrosis, and urethral rupture with urine leakage. The donkey underwent a partial phallectomy and penile retroversion after a 2-week preoperative period, which included debridement, dressings, and antibiotic therapy. The surgical procedure involved the creation of a perineal urethrostomy and partial penile amputation. Postoperative care included antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy, as well as local wound management. Postoperative complications included postmicturition hemorrhage and partial suture dehiscence. Despite these issues, a complete recovery was achieved, and the donkey was discharged after 56 days postsurgery. Four years later, the donkey was urinating normally without complications. Penile retroversion combined with partial phallectomy proves to be an effective surgical approach for treating extensive penile and preputial lacerations in donkeys, providing lasting results and long-term complication-free outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
An 18-month-old intact male donkey with extensive preputial, penile, and ventrocaudal abdominal lacerations. (a) Aspect of the lesion at the initial presentation, showing edema and cyanotic discoloration of the free part of the penis and the prepuce. (b) Lesion aspect 1 week after the initial presentation, showing necrosis of the skin on the free part of the penis and the prepuce.
Figure 2
Figure 2
An 18-month-old intact male donkey with extensive preputial, penile, and ventrocaudal abdominal lacerations 2 weeks after the initial presentation. Necrotic tissue, purulent discharge, and granulation tissue are evident on the penis. (a) Right lateral view. (b) Left ventrolateral view.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immediate postoperative appearance following partial phallectomy and penile retroversion in a Pega donkey. (a) Urethral catheter secured at the perineal urethrostomy site to prevent potential urination difficulties. (b) Gauze pad placed in the orifice left by the penectomy to aid in hemostasis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Postoperative outcomes of partial phallectomy and penile retroversion surgery in a Pega donkey. (a) Perineal urethrostomy 2 days after surgery. (b) Hemorrhage at the urethrostomy site following urination on the second postoperative day. (c) Healed abdominal wound at the time of hospital discharge. (d) Healed perineal urethrostomy at the time of hospital discharge.
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