Minimally invasive surgery allows the surgeon to reach his target by means of incisions of less than one centimeter (or even by means of access through natural routes) through the use of long and fine instruments coupled with a video imaging system. By means of an optical fibre connected to a camera, the surgeon can thus follow the progress of the surgical procedure on screen. Arthroscopy is used when the procedure involves a joint or laparoscopy, when the surgical procedure is located at abdominal cavity level.
ADVANTAGES OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
- Access to the interior of the body without having to make large open incisions
- Less risk of postsurgical complications compared to the possible risk of contamination of the wound during an open surgical procedure
- Less postsurgical pain because of increased patient comfort through the avoidance of large open incisions, which damage muscles and nerves
- Better view of the surgical site, thanks to the image appearing magnified, multiplied 15 times, compared with conventional surgery
COMMON MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
A. Sterilization of bitch by means of laparoscopy
- Complete sterilization of your dog by means of 4 small incisions ranging from 5mm to 1cm
- Significant reduction in postoperative pain compared to traditional surgical access
Important note: The same differences apply with sterilization by means of laparoscopy as with conventional surgery, i.e. between removal of the entire female reproductive system, so-called ovariohysterectomy (removal of uterus and ovaries), and oophorectomy, which only involves removing the ovaries.
In accordance with several publications that identify potential complications related to the presence of the uterus (pyometra, mammary tumors), we perform removal of the entire female reproductive system by default.
Find out more information from your vet because very few perform the ovariohysterectomy technique!
B. Arthroscopy of the elbow
Elbow dysplasia is a generic term meaning abnormal development of the elbow joint and includes several conditions, all being responsible for the development of arthritis in the joint. Treatment is often surgical and enables improvement in the clinical signs.
Arthroscopy makes it possible to carry out diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease simultaneously.
For example, fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (FPCM) is cracking (of inflammatory origin) of a small bone fragment located on the inner side of the joint that eventually becomes detached from the ulna (cubitus). This fragment, which irritates the surface of the joint and progressively erodes the cartilage of the adjacent humerus, will be able to be removed by our arthroscopic investigation.
C. Arthroscopy of the shoulder
Arthroscopy of the shoulder allows a view of the entire joint, and hence a thorough and complete inspection. During the same surgical procedure, it enables the diagnosis and treatment of joint disease, such as cartilage impairment (OCD problems in young dogs of large breeds) or bicep tendon impairment (chronic tendonitis), by means of minimally invasive surgery. Any fracture of the joint is minimal, less painful and allows faster recovery.
D. Arthroscopy of the knee
This minimally invasive procedure makes it possible to view all the structures in the knee, in particular the cruciate ligaments and the meniscus. It also makes it possible to highlight cartilage diseases (OCD in young dogs and erosion of the cartilage of the patella) or to precisely assess the degree of arthritic impairment in the joint.
Arthroscopy makes it possible to intervene on painful structures and can be combined with other noninvasive repair techniques (PRP injection and stem cells) in order to slow down or even treat chronic inflammatory processes that have a deleterious effect on the joint.
Other surgical services
