Combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy in dogs susceptible to gastric dilatation-volvulus

This prospective study describes a simple method of combining laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted prophylactic gastropexy and determines the duration of surgery, complications, and long-term outcome including prevention of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy were performed on 26 sexually intact female dogs susceptible to GDV. The mean surgery time was 60.8 ± 12.4 min. No GDV episode was seen during the study period (mean follow-up: 5.2 ± 1.4 y). All dogs had an intact gastropexy attachment assessed by ultrasonography at 1 y. Post-operative complications were minor and owners were satisfied with the procedure. Combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic- assisted gastropexy appears to be a successful and low morbidity alternative procedure to both ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy and gastropexy via open ventral-midline laparotomy.