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

Abstract

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.