A rapid and strong laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy in dogs

Objective-To develop a technique for laparoscopic gastropexy in dogs and ev aluate effects on stomach position and strength of the adhesion between the stomach and abdominal wall. Animals-8 healthy dogs. Procedure-Dogs were anesthetized, and the abdomen was insufflated with carb on dioxide. A laparoscope was placed through a cannula inserted on the abdo minal midline caudal to the umbilicus. Babcock forceps placed through a can nula inserted lateral to the right margin of the rectus abdominus muscle we re used to exteriorize the pyloric antrum, a longitudinal incision was made through the serosa and muscular layer of the pyloric antrum, and the serom uscular layer of the pyloric antrum was sutured to the transversus abdominu s muscle. After surgery, positive-contrast gastrography was used to evaluat e stomach position and the onset of gastric emptying, and ultrasonography w as used to assess stomach wall activity and mobility. Dogs were euthanatize d 1 month after surgery, and tensile strength of the adhesion was tested. Results-In all dogs, stomach position and the onset of gastric emptying wer e normal 25 days after surgery, and the pyloric antrum was firmly attached to the abdominal wall 30 days after surgery. Mean +/- SD ultimate load of t he adhesion in tension was 106.5 +/- 45.6 N. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The laparoscopic gastropexy technique de scribed in the present study could be performed quickly and easily by an ex perienced surgeon, resulted in a strong fibrous adhesion between the stomac h and abdominal wall, and appeared to cause minimal stress to the dogs.