Laparoscopy
At Westgate Veterinary Center, we are proud to offer the latest in minimally invasive surgery (Laparoscopy). Laparoscopy is the use of a small, fiber optic camera to examine/explore the abdominal organs while the abdomen is inflated with medical grade Carbon Dioxide. Many procedures can be performed via this method, which allows for faster recovery, smaller incisions, and overall better medicine. Not all procedures can be performed in this manner, so a consultation with the Doctor is necessary prior to scheduling.
Dr. Mikol-Doering has been specially trained in this cutting edge technique and is one of only a few veterinarians in the State of Illinois that have experience in performing laparoscopic spays. In the whole United States, less than 2% of veterinarians have been trained to perform this procedure.
Some details and benefits of laparoscopic spays include:
- Minimally invasive surgery is performed with a fiber optic camera that is placed into the abdomen to view the abdominal organs.
- It is used to perform many surgeries including liver biopsies, intestinal biopsies, cystoscopy (for bladder stone retrieval and bladder examination), spays and retained testicles.
- Less painful than traditional surgery (studies have shown that pain is diminished by 65% and recovery time decreased for female dogs spayed by laparoscopy!)
- Incision size is usually less than the size of a dime.
- Outpatient surgery (in most cases)
- Less time under anesthesia (in most cases)
- Decreased/better controlled bleeding
- Find out more about endoscopy for Avian and Exotic Pets
Dr. Mikol-Doering also performs laparoscopic Preventive Gastropexies
- This procedure is recommended for large breed, deep chested dogs that are at high risk for potentially fatal Gastric Bloat with Twisting of the stomach (GDV).
- This procedure can be done alone, or at the same time as a spay or neuter.
- This procedure can save your dog's life by preventing GDV!
Other procedures that can be performed by Laparoscopy:
- Liver biopsies (avoids a large, exploratory surgery with prolonged recovery time)
- Kidney biopsies (same benefits as above)
- Laparoscopy-assisted cystotomies (allows more thorough evaluation of bladder when removing stones, and allows retrieval of 100% of the smaller stones, vs. traditional surgery, during which many small stones are missed)
- Laparoscopy-assisted intestinal biopsy (allows full thickness biopsy of intestines, which traditional Gastrointestinal scoping does not achieve)
- Exploration of abdomen for spread of cancers
Endoscopy:
Endoscopy is a more general term describing the use of a small fiber optic camera to examine and/or treat a patient. The above mentioned Laparoscopy is a type of Endoscopy. In addition to Laparoscopy, the endoscope (camera) can also be used for the following:
- To examine external wounds (to determine extent of wound and look for foreign material)
- To examine orifices (ear canals, nasal cavity, deep inside of the oral cavity, throat, trachea, deeper respiratory tract, deeper gastrointestinal tract)
- To examine the "abdomen" of birds and reptiles (coelioscopy)-see Endoscopy in Avian and Exotic Pets