Key Points

A procedure called a gastropexy can be done to tack the right side of the stomach to the right side of the body wall using minimally invasive surgery

Benefits of the laparoscopic surgery:

• Shorter surgery and anesthesia time
• Less pain
• Quicker recovery
• Prevents life-threatening twist of stomach
• Less expensive than treating life-threatening GDV
• Patient can go home on the day of the procedure

Indications

• Gastric volvulus and dilation (GDV) or bloat is a common life-threatening condition that affects many large breeds of dogs; for information on GDV look at GDV web page.  This condition involves distention of the stomach usually with gas and twisting of the stomach
• Why wait until the life-threatening condition has occurred?  A preventative minimally invasive procedure is now available for your pet
• Breeds that are susceptible to GDV and should be considered for the preventative procedure
  • Great Danes – one in four Danes will bloat in their lifetime
  • Irish Wolf Hounds
  • German Shepherds
  • Standard Poodles
  • Blood Hounds

Laparoscopic surgery

• A procedure called a gastropexy can be done to tack the right side of the stomach to the right side of the body wall using minimally invasive surgery
• A scope is inserted into the belly cavity
• An instrument port is made on the front right side of the abdomen and the right side of the stomach is picked up with a laparoscopic instrument
• The instrument port incision is enlarged to 1 1/2 inches and the stomach is sutured to the right body wall
• Below is a photo of laparoscopic surgery being performed; the surgery is visualized on the monitor as it is being performed

Benefits of the laparoscopic surgery over open surgery

• Shorter surgery and anesthesia time
• Minimally invasive
• Two small incisions therefore less scaring
• Less pain
• Quicker recovery
• Prevents life-threatening twist of stomach
• Less expensive than treating life-threatening GDV
• Patient can go home on the day of the procedure