Laparoscopic Gastropexy
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus or (GDV or “bloat”) is a syndrome affecting dogs in which the stomach becomes very dilated with gas and rotates on itself. This rotation causes damage to the blood supply of the stomach and spleen. It is a life threatening syndrome if not immediately recognized and addressed with emergency surgery. Large breed dogs are generally at risk, especially if deep chested, including Great Danes and German Shepherds. In the surgical treatment of GDV the stomach is sewn to the body wall (gastropexy) to hold it in place and prevent it from rotating. For prevention, a gastropexy can be performed in dogs that are at risk for GDV (specific breeds or larger dogs, especially if they have a deep chested conformation or have a relative that has had bloat). Traditionally this would require an open abdominal surgery but laparoscopy has helped to reduce it to small incisions resulting in less discomfort and better recovery. After having a gastropexy dogs can still have their stomach dilate but will not have volvulus (rotation of the stomach) which is the life threatening part of the syndrome.
At Pikesville Animal Hospital, we perform gastropexies using a fully intracoporeal (fully contained within the abdomen) technique. Three ports are placed in the abdomen along the midline to allow for both the telescope and instruments. The stomach is identified and placed in the desired location along the abdominal wall. The stomach is then sutured in place against the body wall using an endoscopic suturing device. Once completed the abdomen is deflated and the ports removed. Recovery is generally quick with the patient leaving the hospital a few hours later
See our web page on minimally invasive surgery for general details on laparoscopy.
