Keyhole Surgery (Laparoscopy)for Pets
Highcroft is the only veterinary practice in Bristol and the surrounding area to perform this minimally invasive surgical technique.
What is Keyhole Surgery?
Keyhole surgery (otherwise known as laparoscopy, arthroscopy and thoroscopy) is a gentle alternative to open surgery. It is a method of carrying out an operation without having to make a large incision.
To perform keyhole surgery, the surgeon makes very small incisions (usually around 5mm diameter) through the skin and muscles into the body through which a camera and long, slender, surgical instruments can be introduced to perform the surgery inside the body with maximum precision and minimal invasion.
The surgeon has excellent visualisation through the camera during the operation and can be certain that there are no complications before the wounds are stitched.
What are the advantages of Keyhole Surgery?
This type of minimally invasive surgery greatly reduces the trauma to the body so the patient usually has a remarkably quick recovery, fewer side effects, less pain and no complications.
The operations tend to be shorter and less risky for already ill patients.
As your pet's recovery time is quicker, they will soon be active and mobile again causing less disruption to the family life.
What's more, there is little scarring as the incisions are very small, which could be important if you intend to show your pet!
When is Keyhole Surgery used?
- To avoid major abdominal surgery like bitch spays (ovario-hysterectomies);
- Biopsies - lung lesions, liver, kidney and pancreas - keyhole surgery makes biopsies a very quick and simple procedure. Due to their positioning, the liver, kidneys and pancreas are very difficult to access through open surgery. An open surgery biopsy would involve a very large incision followed by lots of manipulation in order to reach these organs, which can be too risky for an already sick animal. With keyhole surgery the surgeon has better visualization through a light camera and can access the organs very quickly by inserting instruments through two small incisions;
- For the correction of gastric torsions (twisted stomach) in dogs - most commonly found in deep chested dogs like Great Danes, German Shepherds and Dobermans;
- For bladder surgery such as the removal of bladder stones;
- For the simple removal of internal testicles which would otherwise be a major procedure;
- For the surgical treatment of many joint conditions (arthroscopy);
- Surgery to treat conditions in the chest (thoroscopy), such as heart and lung problems.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact your branch surgery.
