Transvaginal laparoscopic ovariectomy in 60 dogs: Description of the technique and comparison with 2-portal-access laparoscopic ovariectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a transvaginal laparoscopic ovariectomy (TLOVE) in dogs and compare duration and perioperative complications between TLOVE and 2-portal-access laparoscopic OVE (LapOVE).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

ANIMALS

Female client-owned dogs (60 in TLOVE group and 202 in LapOVE group) between 6 and 103 months of age with body weights between 10 and 33 kg.

METHODS

Ovariectomy was performed either through a transvaginal approach (TLOVE) or 2-portal-access laparoscopy (LapOVE). Dog characteristics (breed, weight, body condition score, age), surgical procedure time, and perioperative complications were compared between groups.

RESULTS

The time required to complete TLOVE (34.3 ± 9.9 minutes) was longer than that for LapOVE (22.3 ± 3.2 minutes, P < .001). Intraoperative complications were encountered in 3 of 60 dogs undergoing TLOVE and 0 of 202 in the LapOVE group. Postoperative complications were not present in the TLOVE group. Suture dehiscence due to early removal of the Elizabethan collar occurred in 4 dogs after LapOVE.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal laparoscopic OVE was completed without postoperative complications in all dogs of this study although TLOVE took about 15 minutes longer to complete than LapOVE.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Transvaginal laparoscopic OVE provides a minimally invasive surgical alternative for OVE in dogs weighing 10-33 kg and aged 6-103 months, eliminating incisions through the abdominal wall, placement of suture material, and application of an Elizabethan collar.