Two cases of planned relaparotomy for severe peritonitis secondary to gastrointestinal pathology.

Planned relaparotomy is a technique in which two or more surgeries are planned before or during the initial surgery. Two dogs underwent planned relaparotomy for severe peritonitis secondary to gastric ulceration and linear foreign body. Both dogs had good outcomes, and unnecessary procedures that would likely have led to increased morbidity were avoided. This technique may be useful in avoiding unnecessary procedures as well as providing for better stabilization of the animal.