ABSTRACT
A new minimally invasive approach for video laparoscopy was developed to access the bladder and prostatic urethra of the dog in order to perform laser ablation of the prostate without using either an open laparotomy or urethrostomy. During general anesthesia, a 10-mm laparoscope was introduced into the peritoneal cavity. Under direct vision, the bladder was distended, and trocars were placed percutaneously by two different methods. A 22F cystoscope was introduced through the transcystic trocar into the prostatic urethra for visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP). In all eight dogs, the video-assisted technique for percutaneous access to the prostatic urethra was successful. No complications were associated with placement of the Veress needle, creation of the pneumoperitoneum, or accessing of the bladder lumen and proximal urethra. The visibility in the peritoneal cavity was excellent, and hemorrhage was minimal in all cases. In two dogs, a laparotomy was performed after displacement of the cystoscope from the urinary bladder. Irrigation fluid for the cystoscope drained primarily around the trocar cuff surrounding the instrument. In one case, the irrigation fluid drained around the trocar in the bladder and filled the peritoneal cavity.
