A laparoscopic-sutured gastropexy technique in dogs: mechanical and functional evaluation.

Objective: To describe a laparoscopic-sutured gastropexy technique in dogs and evaluate the tensile strength of the adhesion and effects on gastric function.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Animals: Female beagle dogs (n=7).

Methods: A laparoscopic-sutured gastropexy technique was evaluated by ex vivo tensile distraction tests 10 weeks after surgery. The effect of the adhesion on gastric emptying, mucosal permeability, and systemic inflammation were evaluated by monitoring the C-reactive protein (CRP) and sucrose permeability, and by radiographic evaluation of gastric emptying 2 weeks before and 10 weeks after surgery.

Results: Mean (+/-SD) tensile force to disrupt adhesions was 51.1+/-16.4 N. There was no significant postoperative increase in CRP concentration or change in sucrose permeability. The area under the curve representing the postprandial decrease in gastric radiographic area increased by 11% after gastropexy.

Conclusions: This laparoscopic gastropexy technique had appropriate mechanical and functional characteristics with limited morbidity.

Clinical Relevance: This laparoscopic-sutured gastropexy provides adhesion strength comparable with other gastropexy techniques tested at 10 weeks postoperatively. Only minor changes in gastric emptying were observed 10 weeks after surgery.