Comparison of laparoscopic‐assisted technique and open laparotomy for gastrointestinal biopsy in cats*

Abstract

Laparoscopic-assisted gastrointestinal biopsy technique provided diagnostic specimens and decreased postoperative pain compared to open surgical techniques. No difference was detected in surgical duration, complications, or duration of hospitalization.

Intestinal surgery in small animals: historical foundations, current thinking, and future horizons

“…Conversion rates reported in these series ranged between 0% and 23% . Reported reasons for conversion include linear foreign bodies, foreign bodies involving the ileocecocolic and gastroduodenal regions, hemorrhage, peritoneal effusion, and requirement for additional surgical procedures . Low preoperative total solids, presence of a solitary liver tumor, and diagnosis of neoplasia were associated with a conversion rate of 21% in another study .…”

“…A number of recent reports describe the use of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy‐assisted techniques in small animals to explore the GI tract and report excellent outcomes with few complications. Conversion rates reported in these series ranged between 0% and 23% . Reported reasons for conversion include linear foreign bodies, foreign bodies involving the ileocecocolic and gastroduodenal regions, hemorrhage, peritoneal effusion, and requirement for additional surgical procedures .…”

“…Intracorporeal exploration of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, stomach, descending duodenum, and colon is followed by extracorporeal evaluation of the jejunum, ileum, and ICJ. (Figure A‐C) Patient repositioning is required for intracorporeal evaluation of the descending duodenum and colon . Extracorporeal evaluation of the viscera is most often facilitated by the use of polyurethane wound retractors (Figure C), although small Gelpi retractors and absence of retractors has also been reported .…”

“…(Figure A‐C) Patient repositioning is required for intracorporeal evaluation of the descending duodenum and colon . Extracorporeal evaluation of the viscera is most often facilitated by the use of polyurethane wound retractors (Figure C), although small Gelpi retractors and absence of retractors has also been reported . A second variation involves a planned miniature laparotomy with a large wound retractor (5‐9 cm), which helps facilitate hand‐assisted palpation of cranial abdominal viscera such as the stomach and duodenum .…”

“…In the Mitterman et al study, 85% of the patients were cats with nonobstructive enteropathy; no operative complications occurred, and average surgical time was 95 minutes. Cats with nonobstructive enteropathy were treated with extracorporeal intestinal exploratory surgery in two other studies; complications were rare, and surgical times averaged 65 minutes and 80 minutes . Extracorporeal intestinal exploration is technically easier and faster than intracorporeal exploration, which may account for the reported difference in average surgical time between studies.…”