Introduction

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) syndrome is an acute condition with a mortality rate of 20% to 45% in treated animals.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of endoscopy jointly with gastropexy in dogs as a potential means to aid prevention and evaluation of the long-term efficiency of this procedure for gastric dilatation-volvulus.

Materials

The study was performed on ten healthy, adult, medium- and large-breed dogs.

Results

The dogs had no abnormal findings upon physical examination. After surgery all dogs were in good condition. The surgical procedure was followed by x-ray and ultrasonographic examinations. The mean±SD gastropexy length was 0.25±3.0 cm, as determined by ultrasonography, and the mean duration of the surgical procedure was 5±20 minutes. There were no statistical differences for preoperative and 7 days postoperative for biochemical markers. There were no abnormalities on direct radiographic examination 7 days postoperative. On the left recumbent lateral view, the pyloric portion was well visualised. Gastric emptying started within 15 minutes and stomach was empty within 4 hours. Measurements of the stomach wall thickness were about 4 mm, and pyloric layers were 6-mm thick by ultrasonographic examination. There was no evidence of improper surgical technique, damage to other organs, or entrapment of viscera.

Conclusion

It appears that endoscopically assisted gastropexy is a simple, fast, safe, and reliable method of performing a prophylactic gastropexy in dogs. This procedure maximizes the benefits of decreased morbidity and shorter duration of anaesthesia associated with minimally invasive surgery.