Laparoscopic Assisted Splenectomy in Dogs: Introducing the Intracorporeal Ligature Placement Technique

Objective- To assess the feasibility of splenectomy using intracorporeal ligature placement technique. Design- Randomized experimental study. Animals- Dogs (n=7) weighting≥ 20 kg. Procedures- Dogs were randomly selected. A lap-assisted splenectomy was performed. The feasibility of splenectomy was examined using intracorporeal ligatures. Comparisons were made regarding the anesthesia, surgery and splenectomy time. Moreover, oxygen saturation, end tidal CO2, heart rate respiratory rate and rectal temperature were recorded and compared. Descriptive analyses were used. Results- Mean durations were as follows: 114 min for anesthesia (range 80-210), 48 min for splenectomy (range 27-100 min) and 74.31 min for surgery (45-140 min). Mean RR for all 7 dogs was 16 per/min (PM) .The maximum was 29 PM and the minimum 8 PM. Mean HR was 66 beats per minute (BPM) .The maximum was 129 BPM and the minimum 38 BPM. Mean SPO2 was 96.2% for all 7 dogs. Minimum and maximum SPO2 levels were 84% and 99% respectively. The lowest and highest temperatures were 96.8 and 99.7 ° F during the procedure. Mean temperature was reported to be 97.9° F. Mean ETCO2 was 38.2. Minimum and maximum levels were 29 an‎d 43 Respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- lap-assisted splenectomy could be safely performed using intracorporeal ligature. It is a safe technique which provides solid vessel sealing.