The Design, Development, and Clinical Assessment of a Novel Patented Laparoscopic Instrument for Ovariectomy in Dogs

TL;DR

A new patented laparoscopic tool was developed and tested to make dog ovary removal surgery faster, safer, and less invasive.

Contribution

The novel laparoscopic optical forceps combine camera and clamp functions, enabling atraumatic ovarian suspension and reducing surgical time and complications.

Findings

The new instrument reduced ovariectomy and overall surgical times significantly compared to traditional methods.

No intraoperative complications occurred with the new device, unlike conventional techniques which had issues like needle breakage and increased bleeding.

The device allowed fewer incisions and simplified surgical maneuvers without requiring complex suturing techniques.

Abstract

Laparoscopic surgery is widely used in veterinary medicine to reduce the invasiveness of procedures like ovary removal in dogs. However, existing techniques often require multiple incisions and expensive tools and may lead to complications such as bleeding or prolonged surgery times. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a new laparoscopic instrument that combines the function of a camera with a clamp to hold the ovary securely during surgery. The device was tested for reliability, sterilization methods, and clinical effectiveness. It was successfully produced using advanced 3D printing technology and was sterilized with ethylene oxide without damage, maintaining full functionality after repeated use. In a clinical trial involving 36 dogs, the new instrument significantly reduced surgery times compared to traditional techniques and minimized complications. It allowed the surgery to be performed with fewer incisions and without the technical difficulties associated with suturing. These results suggest that the new device can improve surgical safety, shorten operation times, and reduce the learning curve for surgeons. This development offers a more efficient and less invasive option for routine procedures, benefiting both veterinary professionals and animals.

Novel laparoscopic optical forceps (OFs), developed and patented by the University of Bari Aldo Moro (EP4119030, Bari, Italy), were designed to enhance safety and efficiency during laparoscopic ovariectomy in dogs by enabling atraumatic ovarian suspension and surgical maneuvers. This study aimed to describe the design, prototyping, sterilization validation, and preliminary clinical evaluation of this instrument. Prototypes were fabricated using ABS-like Pro resin via LSPc 3D printing. EtOx (ethylene oxide) sterilization proved to be the only effective method ensuring both microbiological safety and material integrity after 25 cycles. A randomized clinical trial involving 36 female dogs compared the OFs with conventional extracorporeal suture (ES) suspension using two-port laparoscopic ovariectomy. Surgical performance was assessed via operative times and complication rates. The OF group demonstrated significantly reduced ovariectomy (7.5 ± 1.6 min vs. 23.7 ± 7.6 min, p < 0.01) and overall surgical (14.2 ± 1.7 min vs. 30.4 ± 7.4 min, p < 0.01) times. No intraoperative complications occurred in the OF group, while the ES group exhibited instances of needle breakage, multiple suture attempts, and increased bleeding. The OFs enabled surgical maneuvers and ovarian suspension without requiring additional incisions or complex techniques, offering ergonomic advantages and compatibility with standard optics. These findings support the OFs as a promising tool to simplify and improve minimally invasive ovariectomy in veterinary surgery.

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