# Combination of Laparoscopic Sutureless Gastropexy and Ovariectomy in Dogs

## TL;DR

This study shows that a minimally invasive combined surgery to prevent stomach twisting in dogs and spay them is feasible and well-tolerated.

## Contribution

The study introduces a combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and sutureless gastropexy using absorbable straps in dogs.

## Key findings

- The combined procedure was completed quickly with minimal complications in six large-breed dogs.
- Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with high owner satisfaction and no major complications.
- Absorbable straps simplified the gastropexy and reduced operative time compared to traditional methods.

## Abstract

Large dog breeds are at risk of developing a life-threatening condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), where the stomach fills with gas and twists. To prevent this, veterinarians can perform a surgery called gastropexy, which secures the stomach to the abdominal wall. This study tested a modern, less invasive version of the surgery that avoids traditional stitches and uses small absorbable straps instead. Six healthy female dogs of breeds prone to GDV were selected. The researchers combined two surgeries—removal of the ovaries and stomach fixation—into one minimally invasive procedure using three small incisions. The surgeries were completed quickly, with minimal discomfort, and no major complications occurred. All dogs recovered well, needed no extra pain relief, and were sent home a few hours after surgery. This combined approach may offer a safer, simpler, and faster way to prevent GDV and spay female dogs, reducing the need for multiple surgeries and anesthesia sessions. This case series suggests that the combined technique is technically feasible and well-tolerated, and may represent a practical approach to managing at-risk dogs while streamlining surgical workflow for veterinary teams.

Prophylactic gastropexy is increasingly recommended in large-breed dogs predisposed to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), particularly when combined with other elective procedures such as ovariectomy to reduce surgical trauma and anesthesia exposure. This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of a combined laparoscopic ovariectomy (LOVE) and total laparoscopic gastropexy with absorbable fixation straps (TLG-SS) using a standardized three-port minimally invasive approach. Six female dogs of GDV-prone breeds underwent the combined procedure. Surgical times, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and follow-up outcomes were recorded. The mean total operative time was 29.0 ± 3.52 min, with ovariectomy and gastropexy requiring 7.5 ± 1.38 and 9.33 ± 2.58 min, respectively. No major intraoperative complications occurred, and no conversion to open surgery was necessary. Postoperative recovery was uneventful in all cases, with only one minor portal site reaction observed. Owner satisfaction was excellent. The use of absorbable fixation straps simplified the gastropexy procedure and reduced operative time compared to other laparoscopic techniques. These findings suggest that the combined LOVE and TLG-SS procedure is technically feasible and well-tolerated in a small cohort of large-breed dogs, supporting its potential integration into clinical protocols pending further validation.