Comparison of surgical variables and pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy, laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy, and laparoscopic ovariectomy.

Laparoscopy is an established modality in veterinary medicine. To date, laparoscopy in feline surgery is rarely reported. The objectives of this study were to compare surgical time, complications, and postoperative pain in a group of cats undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy (LOVE), laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy (LAOVH), and ovariohysterectomy via celiotomy (COVH). Eighteen healthy cats were randomly assigned to undergo LOVE, LAOVH, or COVH. Severity of pain was monitored 1, 2, 3, and 4 hr after surgery. Surgical time was significantly longer for LAOVH (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 51.6 ± 7.7 min) compared to COVH (mean ± SD, 21.0 ± 7.1 min) and LOVE (mean ± SD, 34.2 ± 11.2 min). There were no major intraoperative complications, although minor complications were more common in both laparoscopic groups. Cats sterilized via laparoscopy (LOVE and LAOVH) were statistically less painful than cats spayed via celiotomy (COVH) 4 hr following surgery. Results suggested that LOVE in cats is safe, can be performed in a comparable amount of time as COVH, and may result in less postoperative discomfort.