In my opinion, yes. It is a better option as it's significantly less painful, less invasive, and there's a quicker healing time. The pet can return to normal activity, like chasing a ball and running around the backyard in significantly less time than with traditional open surgery. We can more readily perform diagnostic procedures that might otherwise be too cost-prohibitive because open surgery for obtaining biopsies is more expensive or just too invasive for clients to agree to. This minimally invasive keyhole laparoscopic procedure to obtain biopsies or other diagnostic procedures often presents a much lower barrier for clients. They more easily say, "Yes, I want to understand what's going on better so that we can treat my pet more appropriately." In many different ways, it is a better option than open surgery.

With that said, there are limitations. We still need to go into the abdomen with certain surgeries because the laparoscopic minimally invasive technique is not enough. For example, if we have a splenic tumor and we need to remove the spleen, it can't be done effectively through a small port incision. It will require a full open surgery to get the best outcome. So there are certain situations where it's not better, but in most common procedures, it provides a great alternative because of all these discussed reasons.

It depends on what we're trying to accomplish. If we're talking about a spay, laparoscopic surgery is curative compared to traditional surgery. It's completely effective at removing all ovarian tissue and getting the job done. Another thing that we would use this equipment for is a liver biopsy, for example, where it won't be curative because it's a diagnostic tool. We use the equipment to access the liver with a minimally invasive technique rather than opening the abdomen up, but it's not curative in the sense that we're curing the disease. We're getting tissue samples from the liver so that we can try to get an answer as to what's going on inside. That would require us to do major surgery if we didn't have this laparoscopic equipment.

So it changes the way that we approach a lot of these common issues we come across. Whether it is something as routine as spaying a dog, removing the ovaries, or something more complicated, like a pet with significant liver problems. It's maybe not even significant liver issues at the moment, but there may be evidence in the blood suggestive of something problematic. We were often left guessing before we had liver biopsies. Performing biopsies using this technique that doesn't require major surgery provides an opportunity to get a definitive diagnosis. That's the hope with the biopsies. We can treat that disease directly. It's not a cure, but we can manage it more successfully with a definitive diagnosis, which you don't always get without a biopsy. This equipment and minimally invasive technique allow us to operate more efficiently and perform appropriate therapy directed at the underlying problem with less trauma for the pet.

Extremely effective. Especially because the technology with this type of equipment is quite advanced. The imaging and detailed evaluations we can get with this precise equipment allow us to do very effective procedures. A spay, for example, can be done with this minimally invasive technique. It's probably the most common procedure done, and it allows us to remove the ovary and the uterus as well. But many studies show that it's only necessary to remove the ovaries unless the uterus is already diseased. By removing the ovaries, the risk of disease in the uterus is extremely low to the point where it's not necessary to go through the additional trauma of removing the uterus. That's actually the standard procedure being done all over Europe and is becoming more common in the states. The laparoscopic equipment allows us to hone in on the ovary a lot more effectively because we can see all the surrounding structures and ligate where we need to with specialized electrocautery equipment. We can remove the ovary with minimal to no bleeding.

We're passionate about bringing this technique to general practice because it allows dogs and cats to have frequently performed procedures with significantly less pain, up to 65% less pain, and a much quicker recovery time. They normally recover in 10 to 14 days, wear the cone of shame, and be kept quiet on a short leash or in a kennel. This type of procedure allows them to heal well enough within one to three days to return to normal activity. So it is very beneficial for your dog. That's why clients are interested in this type of procedure, which is commonly done with humans.

Another big thing that I think is a barrier for clients is the fact that these types of procedures can only be done when they are referred to a specialist. They would be more willing if it could be done where they're most comfortable, like with their primary care veterinarian. If it requires a referral, they are less inclined to do it. We're able to help more dogs with these types of procedures because we can do it in a more comfortable environment at Summer Creek Animal Clinic, where clients are used to being.