Introduction

Gastric dilatation and volvulus is an acute and often fatal disease syndrome of uncertain aetiology that requires rapid medical and surgical intervention.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy in dogs as a potential means to aid prevention and evaluation of efficiency of this procedure.

Materials

Six skeletally mature dogs of unselected breed, ages, and sex, weighing between 15 + 5 kg were used. Abdominal cavity entrance, Hasson technique was used. The abdominal cavity was filled with 13 mm Hg CO₂ for pneumoperitoneum. Pylorus was found by the aid of the telescope. Then the telescope was directed toward the right abdominal wall. Under the guidance of the telescope on the right abdominal wall incision was made 2 cm below the last rib. The abdominal cavity was entered with Endo Babcock penset. Pylorus of stomach was kept and pylorus was sutured of the right side of the stomach.

Results

The dogs had no abnormal finding 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 for adhesion was 0.4–0.6 cm, as determined by ultrasonography, and the mean duration of the surgical procedure was 40 minutes.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy can be applied for emergency surgery and prophylactic interventions. There were no complications encountered in animals. Wound healing in laparoscopic gastropexy group was found to be faster because the incision line was too small.