In the science fiction thriller, “Fantastic Voyage,” doctors and scientists are miniaturized and injected into a fellow scientist in order to save his life. We may need more time to develop that type of technology, but cutting edge innovations, such as the digital pill cam, laser surgery, digital radiography, laparoscopic surgery, and ultrasound are making their way into veterinary offices, providing a higher level of care for our pets.

Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive type of procedure, was first performed on a dog in 1902! Since then, human surgeons have perfected techniques to removal gall bladders, relieve the discomfort of endometriosis, and even help individuals with morbid obesity with the lap-band procedures. Laparoscopic surgeries have now been adapted for use on our pets by veterinary surgeons as well.

A laparoscope consists of a telescoping rod and lens system connected to a video camera and halogen light source. The surgeon inserts the laparoscope into the patient through a tiny (less than 1 inch long) incision. The abdomen (belly) is then filled with carbon dioxide and expands to create space to work and visualize the inner contents. Additional attachments, such as scissors, retractors, and devices for placing sutures are introduced into the abdomen and manipulated to complete the surgery. Everything done by the instruments is viewed on a monitor and is magnified making smaller details easier to see.

The biggest benefit to laparoscopic surgery is the smaller incisions used to access the abdomen. In the case of human gall bladder removal, traditional surgeries would create an incision about 8 inches long. With the latest laparoscope, 4 incisions, all less than inch, will be sufficient to remove the gall bladder. Smaller incisions result in shorter recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and, most of all, less pain.

Veterinarians have seen these benefits and are anxious to export them to our pets. According to Dr. Markee Kuschel, a veterinarian with the Deer Creek Animal Hospital in Colorado, laparoscopic surgery is becoming a viable alternative for pet owners wanting to provide a human-level of surgical care for their pets.

Surgeries that are considered “routine” by pet owners and veterinarians, such as spaying a female dog or cat, are now considered good candidates for the laparoscope. Dr. Kuschel states “…the advanced technique of laparoscopic assisted surgery enables better visualization and a reduced chance of hemorrhage during a routine spay.”

And Dr. Kuschel is not alone. Another surgical center in Colorado performed a small study in which 10 dogs were spayed via traditional surgical methods and 10 dogs were spayed with the laparoscope. The results of this study show that 90% of the traditionally spayed dogs needed additional pain relief medications after surgery whereas none of the dogs in the laparoscopic assisted group did. Blood concentrations of cortisol, a good indicator of stress levels, increased only in the traditional group.

These findings, as well as her own observations, have led Dr. Kuschel and her associates to eliminate traditional spays at their hospital. “The price was significantly higher for the laparoscopic assisted procedure, but we actually did the same number of spays from one year to the next.”

“We increased our level of care and now pet owners actively seek out our services because they know and understand the benefits of this cutting edge technology.”

Veterinarians are not only using this revolutionary new tool for spays, but as an aid to help diagnose disease. Surgeons are able to biopsy internal organs with laparoscopic surgery and the procedure often requires no more than sedation and a local anesthetic. Previous protocols for biopsies demand general anesthetic and a prolonged recovery time. With some laparoscopic biopsies, the patient is often ready to go home in less than two hours!

This high tech gadget can actually save lives too! Many large and giant breeds of dogs, such as Great Danes are prone to a twisting of the stomach, which then causes “bloat”. The occurrence of this life-threatening emergency and extremely painful condition can be often be prevented by tacking the right side of the stomach to the body wall, which will then prevent the rotation of the stomach. Prior to laparoscopes, veterinarians would perform exploratory surgery with a long six to eight inch long incision. With the new laparoscopes this life-saving prevention procedure can be done through an incision just one inch long.

Although this technology is truly leading edge, don’t expect it to show up in all veterinary offices immediately. For some veterinarians, the initial set up cost of the equipment is expensive and will result in higher surgical costs for your pets. The procedure is generally available at specialty hospitals, major teaching hospitals and the larger group practices. Although, as the technology continues to improve, costs of the older equipment will decrease and eventually will find it’s way into the smaller clinics and hospitals.

If you are planning a surgery for your pet, ask your veterinarian about the potential for laparoscopic assisted surgery in your area. To learn more about the advantages of laparoscopy view a video at http://www.myvnn.com/page.asp?id=67&story_id=62

Dr. Debra Garrison is a veterinarian. Her primary practice is the Treaschwig Veterinary Clinic. You can visit her at her blog, http://www.luvurdog.com

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