SAFETY OF SINGLE-ACCESS VIDEO-ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN KITTENS

Abstract

The paper discusses comparative results of conventional dual-access (dual trocar) and author’s single-access video-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in kittens (two groups of 18 kittens each were operated at the age of 3.5 to 4 months). The paper provides details of the new surgery technique. Advantages, shortcomings, and singularity of the surgery in prepuberta animals are discussed. It was demonstrated that conventionally used in adult cat method of dual-access video-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy when uterine horns are fixed with transparietal suture requires large surgical site (10 sq. cm), elevated pneumoperitoneum pressure (14 mm Hg) to form sufficient surgical space (cone) in the abdomen to perform necessary operations. Age-specific anatomy of abdomen in kittens and duration of the surgery (25.8±3.1 minutes), resulted in development of intraoperative complication, viz. subcutaneous emphysema, in 16.7% of animals. To the contrary, new single-access video-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy has a number of advantages in kittens: small surgical site (2 sq. cm), one puncture point, minimum iatrogenic complications, and fast surgery (12.2±2.2 minutes). Anesthesia requires little anesthetic, thus rehabilitation period is shorter too. The essence of the patented surgery technique (Patent of the Russian Federation 2503419 C1) is in introduction of 5 mm trocar through a single puncture in the abdomen under lower pneumoperitoneum pressure; inspection of the abdomen cavity organs through optics and finding uterine horn; eventeration (under video surveillance) of the uterine horn outside abdomen with a manipulating tool. This new single-access laparoscopic technique provides for safe, easy, and effective surgery preventing intraoperative and postoperative complications hence eliminating necessity to keep the animal in clinic for long.