Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is a general term used to describe surgical procedures into the abdomen (laparoscopy), chest cavity (thoracoscopy) or bladder (cystoscopy) performed through small keyhole incisions. Procedures are usually performed by placement of surgical instruments through 1-4 cannulae or portals, which are small plastic or metal tubes, generally 5-10mm in size.

The advantages of laparoscopy include the creation of smaller incisions, a more rapid return to function and diminished post-operative pain. Other advantages may include fewer post-operative complications for certain procedures but in all cases, pet owners should thoroughly discuss with their surgeon the advantages and disadvantages for the specific procedure that is being considered.

Why laparoscopy?

-Improved cosmesis
-Return to function
-Decreased pain
-Decreased adhesions
-Decreased postoperative ileus
-Better visualization of lesions

 What types of surgery can be performed minimally invasively?

-Diagnostic (biopsy procedures)
-Biopsy samples can be taken from the liver, spleen, intestines, pancreas, lymph nodes, lung, bladder and more.
-Therapeutic
-OVE (spay surgery), cryptorchid castration (retained testicle removal), gastropexy, cystic calculi (bladder stone) removal, gastrointestinal foreign body or tumour removal, lung lobectomy, pericardectomy, cholecystectomy, thoracic duct ligation (to treat chylothorax), adrenalectomy and many more.