Description and Executability of a Novel Pre-tied Mini Ligature (Miniloop) in Laparocopic Ovariectomy in Cats

ABSTRACT

Background: Ovariectomy(OVE) and ovariohysterectomy (OVH) are the most performed surgical procedures in Veterinary Medicine. In videosurgery, both in stray animals at sterilization campaigns and in the increasing demand of tutors to perform the technique. Laparoscopy results in reduced tissue damage, due to minimal organ manipulation and surgical access hemostasis can be performed by several methods, such as electro-coagulation, clips, and intra and extracorporeal ligatures. A pre-tied ligature system, or endoloop, is a haemostatic technique comprised of a slipknot and knot pusher, which is inserted into the abdominal cavity through one of the laparoscopic ports. The aim of this study was to describe a novel OVE technique in cats, in which haemostasis was performed using miniloop, aimed at reducing the number of ports needed for knot tying.Material, Methods & Results: Ten healthy not spayed female cats, aged 6 months to 5 years, were selected for this study. They were submitted to an OVE using miniloop as haemostasis method. Access to the peritoneal cavity was through two 5 mm ports on the midline of the ventral abdomen, 5 cm apart, with one immediately caudal to the umbilical scar and the other in between the last pair of teats. The first trocar was inserted at the caudal incision using the Hasson technique and a 5 mm zero-degree optics attached to a camera was introduced