Total Laparoscopic Colopexy for the Treatment of Recurrent Rectal Prolapses in Three Cats.

The use of minimally invasive methods has grown in popularity due to decreased postoperative morbidity and a quicker recovery. Colopexy is a surgical method that includes the permanent adhesion of the colonic seromuscular layer to the abdominal wall to avoid rectal prolapses in cats and dogs with viable prolapsed tissues. In this case series, we describe the treatment of three cats with total laparoscopic colopexy (TLC) for recurrent rectal prolapses. A non-incisional colopexy was created by suturing the colon to the abdominal wall with a barbed suture. There were no intraoperative complications and a 6-month follow-up revealed no prolapse recurrence. Our study demonstrates that TLC approaches are feasible, safe, and free of problems when used to treat recurrent rectal prolapses in cats, although a larger caseload is required to validate the results obtained from our reported cases.

Pressure-Sensitive Walkway System for Evaluation of Lameness in Dogs Affected by Unilateral Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture Treated with Porous Tibial Tuberosity Advancement.

The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate lameness in dogs affected by a unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) treated with porous tibial tuberosity advancement before surgery and at three different timepoints after surgery, using the GAITRite® system (version 4.9Wr), a pressure-sensitive walkway system that is able to calculate several spatiotemporal gait parameters simultaneously for each limb. The dogs walked on the pressure-sensitive walkway before (T0) and 30 (T1), 90 (T2), and 120 (T3) days after surgery. Pressure measurements (gait lameness score and total pressure index %) were collected for S (treated with porous TTA) and C (healthy contralateral limb) at T0, T1, T2, and T3 and statistically evaluated. An ANOVA test was performed to compare the data, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Twenty dogs (n = 20) of various common breeds and ages with CrCLR were enrolled in the study. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the GAIT4Dog® lameness score (GLS) and TPI% between S and C for each timepoint. Statistically significant differences in the GLS and TPI% between S at T0 and S at T2 and between S at T0 and S at T3 (p < 0.001) were found. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the GAIT4Dog® lameness score (GLS) and TPI% between S and C for each timepoint. Statistically significant differences in the GLS and TPI% between S at T0 and S at T2 and between S at T0 and S at T3 were found. The GLS and TPI% increased statistically significantly from 90 days after surgery compared to the preoperative measurements. Moreover, comparing the GLS and TPI% between the treated limb and the control limb showed that a statistically significant difference remained at each timepoint.

Comparison of Two Radiofrequency Vessel-Sealing Device for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in African Lionesses (Panthera Leo).

To evaluate two vessel-sealing devices with different jaw lengths for dissecting ovaries in adult obese African lionesses undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Twelve lionesses (n = 12) were recruited. The surgical procedures were performed through three portals, with a retractor platform positioned at the umbilical port and cannulas placed 3-4 cm cranial and caudal to the device at the level of the midline. Ovariectomy was performed using a vessel-sealing device according to a randomization list. We evaluated the surgery time the intra- and postoperative complications. The total surgery time was 49.3 min (range 40-61 min) in the Atlas group and significantly lower in the Caiman group (mean 31.8 min, range 26-51 min). The installation phase was similar between the groups. The ovariectomy time was significantly lower in the Caiman group (mean 7.8 min, range 4-11 min) than in the Atlas group (mean 20 min, range 16-30 min). Controlled bleeding was observed at the tip of the uterine horn in two cases in the Atlas group. No other complications were noted. The results of our study confirmed the significant advantages of employing the Caiman 12 vessel-sealing device in comparison with the LigaSure Atlas in terms of the time needed to complete ovariectomy, although both instruments could be considered safe. The use of the Caiman 12 is recommended when performing laparoscopic ovariectomies in adults with obesity.

Wound Retractor Laparoscopic Port System for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Panthera leo.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and intraoperative complications of performing ovariectomies in African lionesses (Panthera leo) using a wound retractor laparoscopic platform. Six lionesses (n = 6) were included. The surgical procedures were carried out through three portals, with a retractor platform positioned at the umbilical port and cannulas placed 3-4 cm from the cranial and caudal regions to the device at the level of the midline. An ovariectomy was performed with a vessel-sealing device. We evaluated the surgery time and the intraoperative and early postoperative complications. The mean weight was 172.83 kg. The total surgery time was 49.33 min. The installation step took a mean of 10.33 min to complete. The mean ovariectomy time was 20 min. Controlled bleeding was observed at the tip of the uterine horn in two cases due to excessive tissue thickness. The retrieval of dissected ovarian tissue and annexes was easily performed. No other complications were observed. The use of the laparoscopic platform during three-portal surgeries for laparoscopic ovariectomy in adult overweight lionesses is feasible and without intraoperative problems. The retractor meant that there were no entry-related issues due to the 25 mm mini-laparotomy. It also made it simpler to extract thick ovaries and promptly re-establish the pneumoperitoneum.

Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) in Small Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Veterinary Literature.

In veterinary surgery, single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) techniques have been described since 2009, and, in recent decades, many authors have reported the application of SILS in small animals, thus, promoting the wide dissemination of this novel approach among veterinary laparoscopists. The aim of this literature review is to provide a critical evaluation of the scientific reports on SILS in the field of small animal laparoscopic surgery. A comprehensive literature review was performed including from 1 January 2009 to 1 July 2020. The following data were recorded from each study: the design, year of publication, surgical procedure, species, number of animals included, and surgical time. The type of SILS technique and type of control group technique were evaluated. In total, 90 articles were identified through database searches and manual searches. The qualitative analysis showed that most of the articles were retrospective studies, without a control group or case series. A meta-analysis was performed on the eight controlled studies, showing that SILS ovariectomy and gastrointestinal procedures had a comparable surgical time to multiport techniques. The study of the articles available in the veterinary literature did not allow for an adequate meta-analysis of the published results, especially regarding post-operative pain, evaluations of surgical times, and post-operative complications in comparison to multiport techniques. Therefore, veterinary surgeons who want to employ these techniques must consider the real advantages of SILS techniques.