Laparoscopy – the Future of Veterinary Surgery – through the ‘keyhole’

Traditionally, abdominal surgery involves making a large surgical incision to access the organs inside. With the advent of the laparoscopic technique many of the surgical procedures can be accomplished through small holes giving rise to the concept of ‘key hole’ surgery. In humans laparoscopic surgery is a well-recognised procedure. However, in veterinary surgery, it has only recently been introduced as a surgical method and only a small number of veterinary surgeons are performing these types of operations on a routine basis.

Laparoscopic versus Open Surgery Bitch Spay

Until recently, the traditional method of spaying bitches has been to remove the entire reproductive tract (ovaries and uterus) through a large (10-15cm) incision into the abdomen.

Although this has been the recognised surgical method for many years an alternative, much less invasive procedure, has become available through the development of laparoscopic surgery.

Using the laparoscopic method only the ovaries are removed and this is achieved through two small (less than 1cm) holes. The advantages for the patient include, much less pain and discomfort, quicker healing time and a more rapid return to normal activity.

First Laparoscopic Bitch Spay at
Ayrton Veterinary Centre

On Tuesday 18th September 07 Ayrton’s senior veterinary surgeon, Dr Tony Page, performed the first laparoscopic surgical operation at Ayrton Veterinary Centre.

The operation involved manipulating and removing the ovaries from a young female lurcher bitch. The entire surgery was performed through just two small 5mm holes. The operation was very successful and the patient made an uneventful recovery. In fact, she was moving about as if nothing had happened just minutes after awaking from the anaesthetic.

There are very few private practices in the UK performing laparoscopic surgery and as far as we are aware Ayrton Veterinary Centre is the first private practice in Scotland to use the technique in dogs and probably the first Scottish practice to perform an ovariectomy in a bitch.

Dr Page believes that laparoscopic surgery has significant advantages over traditional ‘open’ surgery and is likely to become established as a routine technique in veterinary surgery in years to come.