Gastropexy

Prophylactic gastropexy is another technique growing in popularity as the awareness of the risk factors and consequences of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) increase amongst owners. Although multiple techniques for laparoscopic gastropexy have been described these often involve intracorporeal knot-tying making the procedure technically difficult, and significantly lengthening surgical times. The most common method of gastropexy is a laparoscopic-assisted technique involving laparoscopic visualization and grasping of the stomach adjacent to the pyloric antrum. The anticipated gastropexy location is then exteriorized via enlargement of the right paracostal portal to a 4cm incision and the gastropexy is completed from outside the abdomen. This technique is termed “laparoscopic-assisted” and many procedures can be adapted from a regular “open approach” to this technique reducing morbidity. Laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy can be performed minimally invasively either alone, or in combination with laparoscopic OVE or neutering.