Minimally invasive surgery is just what it says. It is using fiber optics, video camera (endoscope), and the proper instruments to perform surgery with the least amount of trauma to your pet.
We have been doing this type of surgery for biopsies of liver or kidneys, exploratory surgeries of chest or abdomen, and examination of inside the urinary bladder for several years. We have also been using the endoscope to explore the inside of the stomach to remove foreign bodies. All of the procedures can be done with less postoperative discomfort and less surgical risk to the patient.
We have recently added the Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) or spay surgery to the list of surgeries where we can offer the minimally invasive option.
The advantages of the Endoscopic OHE are many. There are only 2 very small incision made into the abdomen, so there is less postoperative pain. With two small incisions, postoperative complications with healing are greatly reduced and the return to normal activity is much quicker. With the camera, we are better able to examine the surgical fiedl without any pulling or stretching of the tissues within the abdomen. This reduces the discomfort to the patient both during and after their surgery. With better visualization, we are also able to more easily view the surgical site for any unexpected bleeding once the uterus and ovaries are removed. This increases the safety of the surgery.
