“Minimally Invasive Surgery: Less Scalpel, More Scope”

One of the more recent advances in veterinary surgery is the use of endoscopy to perform procedures that previously could only be performed by surgically opening the abdomen or chest.  This technique is referred to as “Minimally Invasive Surgery”. 

During a minimally invasive surgical procedure, a specialized surgical camera attached to an endoscope is inserted into the patient’s abdomen or chest through a tiny incision.  The camera allows the surgeon a firsthand view of the patient’s internal organs and structures which can be photographed for later review and collaborative evaluation.  It is also possible to collect diagnostic samples (biopsies) that will guide future treatment and perform interventional techniques using specialized endoscopic instrumentation.

Common minimally invasive interventional procedures include laparoscopic assisted gastropexy (stomach tacking),  laparoscopic ovariehysterectomy (spay), feeding tube placement, thorascopic assisted lung lobectomy(lung lobe removal), thoracic duct ligation (tying off the thoracic lymph duct for patients with chest fluid), and pericardectomy (removal of the sac around the heart to resolve fluid accumulation). 

Aside from the enhancements to diagnosis and treatment, additional advantages of minimally invasive surgery include shortened anesthesia and procedure times, smaller incisions, faster post-operative recovery times, and less pain for the patient. Minimally invasive surgery is an example of how veterinary medicine has kept pace with the technology available in human medicine.

Dr. Jenifer Newton, ACVS, is a Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon practicing at Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists  - a referral veterinary practice in Decatur, GA. More information can be found at the company’s website at www.sfvs.com.