Minimally invasive total splenectomy in dogs: A clinical report

Cases of minimally-invasive surgery are gaining acceptance among surgeons and animal owners. One type of minimally-invasive surgery is total splenectomy, which is indicated for splenic tumors, trauma, torsions, and for dogs that require blood transfusion. To assess the safety of the technique, experimental laparoscopic splenectomies were performed in dogs for the first time in Iran. Three adult male mixed-breed dogs were placed in dorsal recumbency at a 45° angle in the right lateral position, under aseptic condition and general anesthesia. Three trocars were placed; at the umbilicus, 3 cm cranial to the umbilicus and in the right caudolateral abdomen. The spleen was rotated 90° laterally and thermal coagulation of the blood vessels was performed by bipolar electrocautery. The pedicles were checked to ensure hemostasis. The spleen was morcellated and removed from the umbilical port using a retrieval bag. The mean surgery time was 42 minutes, and all dogs survived the surgery without complications. Laparoscopic splenectomy via three portals was found to be easy and safe.