Minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery information

What is endoscopy?

Endoscopy involves the use of an endoscope (rigid or flexible) – a small camera mounted on a thin probe – to look inside parts of the body which could otherwise be very difficult to inspect. A rigid endoscope is one which cannot be bent to go around corners, unlike a flexible endoscope which is often used to inspect the inside of the digestive tract (stomach and intestines) or upper airways.

Rigid endoscopy:

Rigid endoscopy is an extremely useful diagnostic, and in some cases therapeutic, tool in soft tissue, internal medicine and orthopaedic (arthroscopy) case management. We have an extensive range of state-of-the-art Karl Storz endoscopic equipment that significantly enhances our diagnostic and treatment options for the patients in our care.

Rhinoscopy:

Rigid rhinoscopy is the placing of an endoscope into the nasal cavity. It is an integral step in the investigation of dogs and cats with nasal disease. Conditions such as neoplasia (cancer) of the nasal cavity, fungal rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal cavity due to fungal infection), nasal foreign body and lymphocytic-plasmacytic rhinitis (‘allergic’ nasal disease) all benefit from this diagnostic technique which works alongside the top quality radiology unit here at Vets4Pets.

Cystoscopy:

Cystoscopy is the examination of the inside of the bladder and, in females, the entire urethra. This can be a very useful tool for investigation of the urogenital tract (the urinary and reproductive systems) in dogs. It is commonly used in the diagnosis of anatomical abnormalities that can contribute to urinary incontinence.

Laparoscopy:

Laparoscopy is the term given to the endoscopic examination of the abdominal cavity (‘tummy’), either for diagnostic or treatment purposes. In certain circumstances this ‘key-hole’ surgical technique can provide a number of advantages over conventional surgery. Where its use is appropriate, the minimally invasive technique usually involves two or three small incisions (cuts) rather than the single large incision associated with conventional surgery.

Ovariectomy (bitch spay/neutering):

We are very pleased to be able to offer laparoscopic ovariectomy surgery.
The procedure involves making two or three small incisions in the skin that will normally be closed without the need for external stitches. The operation is performed on a day-patient basis – most pets do not need to stay in overnight, being re-united with their owners later the same day.  

The procedure involves removal of the ovaries, leaving the uterus (the womb) in place. Conventional spay (neutering) of cats and bitches (female dogs) usually involves removal of the ovaries and uterus together (ovario-hysterectomy). The laparoscopic  ovariectomy operation is quicker, less involved and less painful than the conventional spay procedure. There is no evidence that leaving the uterus behind results in any increased risk of incontinence or womb infection in the future when compared to conventional surgery.

Thoracoscopy:

Thoracoscopy is the examination of the inside of the chest using an endoscope.

Arthroscopy:

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a technique for examining the inside of a joint using a tiny camera. This allows detailed assessment of the joint in a minimally invasive fashion, avoiding some of the risks and discomfort that can be associated with traditional, more extensive ‘open’ surgery. Sometimes arthroscopy is performed to gather information to help make a diagnosis and decide on treatment options and the outlook (prognosis). In other situations, arthroscopic surgery is performed to treat a particular problem.

Flexible endoscopy:

Patients requiring flexible endoscopy will also require general anesthesia, but due to the minimally invasive nature of the technique are usually able to return home on the same day.

Some examples of procedures involving a flexible endoscope are:

Bronchoscopy. 

This is where the endoscope is passed down into an animal’s respiratory system via the mouth. This allows magnified examination of the trachea and interior of the lungs, targeted sample gathering (such as lavage), and is the least traumatic way to remove any foreign bodies e.g. grass seeds.

Gastroduodenoscopy. 

This is where the endoscope is passed down into an animal’s digestive system via the mouth. It allows magnified examination of the oesophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine, targeted sample gathering (biopsy), and minimally traumatic removal of foreign bodies e.g. plastic containers, needles.

Colonoscopy. 

This is the same as above, but the camera is introduced into the lower digestive tract – a longer period of starvation is needed for these patients (24hrs)