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Keyhole surgery | Veterinary Laparoscopic spays
Laparoscopic surgery involves making two to three small incisions, which allows the veterinary surgeon to introduce a camera and some fine instruments. These allow the surgeon to perform a range of procedures. Here at Orchard House Vets we perform Laparoscopic Spays weekly. We are one of very few practices in the North East to offer Laparoscopic spays and we are happy to accept referrals from other practices.
Our popular surgery has seen pets from as far as Carlisle and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne make the trip over to our Hexham surgery for Laparoscopic spays and we receive wonderful feedback for this surgery. Due to it’s popularity we do recommend booking as far in advance as possible to avoid any disappointment.
Important information
What is a Laparoscopic keyhole spay?
Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a Vet to access the inside of the abdomen (tummy) without having to make large incisions in the skin.
This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Large incisions can be avoided during laparoscopy because the surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope. This is a small tube that has a light source and a camera, which relays images of the inside of the abdomen or pelvis to a television monitor.
The advantages of this technique over traditional open surgery include:
- a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time
- less pain and bleeding after the operation
- reduced scarring
Laparoscopy is carried out under general anaesthetic, so your pet won’t feel any pain during the procedure. During laparoscopy, the Vet makes one or more small incisions in the abdomen. These allow the Vet to insert the laparoscope, small surgical tools, and a tube used to pump gas into the abdomen. This makes it easier for the Vet to look around and operate. After the procedure, the gas is let out of the abdomen, the incisions are closed using stitches.
Procedures that are suitable for laparoscopy include; neutering, retained testicle removal, biopsy procedures, abdominal exploration, gastropexy and cystotomy.
Laparoscopic bitch spays
A Laparoscopic Ovariectomy is performed by placing a camera and specialised instruments through three small incisions in the abdomen. During a keyhole bitch spay often the two ovaries are removed (called an ovariectomy), however in some rare cases the whole uterus needs to be removed along with both ovaries (ovariohysterectomy). There is no evidence that leaving the uterus behind results in any increased risk of incontinence or womb infection in the future when compared to conventional surgery.
We are extremely proud to be one of only a handful of practices in Northern England who can perform this surgery. This service is now available to clients of Orchard House Vets and we also accept referral cases from other veterinary practices.