Keyhole Surgery

Laparoscopy, or minimally-invasive surgery, is a way to explore the organs of your pet's abdomen using only tiny key-hole incisions. Using these incisions, just a few mm long, we insert a camera and our surgical instruments to perform the surgery.

Laparoscopy is a less traumatic and painful alternative to traditional surgery. It is also a safer method of surgery because everything that is done is under direct magnified visualization. Organs, such as your pet's ovaries, do not need to be manually handled to allow the surgery to be performed, so there is less trauma to the internal structures of your pet's abdomen.

One use of Keyhole Surgery which is very popular is a canine ovariectomy or spay (the procedure for neutering a female dog).

What are the differences between an open spay and a keyhole spay?

Open surgery involves a single incision made down the midline of the dog's abdomen. The ovaries and uterus are removed. There is a 10 to 14 day recovery period.

Keyhole surgery involves two very small incisions with minimal discomfort. The ovaries are removed. There is a 3 day recovery period.

What are the advantages of a keyhole spay?

• Minimal discomfort and quick healing.
• Most dogs return to normal activity 3 days after keyhole surgery.
• Keyhole surgery is fast becoming the standard of care in veterinary practice, just as it is in the human field.

Other keyhole procedures

• Retained abdominal testicle removal
• Liver investigations and biopsies