Is pneumothorax secondary to pneumoperitoneum a real risk in dogs undergoing total laparoscopic gastropexy?

BACKGROUND

There were described in veterinary literature, the possibility of pneumothorax as a complication of laparoscopic surgery in dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy associated with total laparoscopic gastropexy.

AIM: To assess if spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to pneumoperitoneum is a real risk in dogs undergoing total laparoscopic gastropexy.

METHODS

Dogs undergoing totally laparoscopic gastropexy received chest X-rays (CXR) in lateral (left and right) and ventro-dorsal projection before and after the surgery. Two veterinary radiologists reported the x-rays and indicated the presence or not of pneumothorax.

RESULTS

Postoperative pneumothorax was not detected on postoperative CXR in the total of 76 dogs of the study.

CONCLUSION

The odds risk of pneumothorax after total laparoscopic gastropexy surgical procedure is low.