Laparotomy‐assisted endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies: Evaluation of this technique and postoperative recovery in dogs and cats

• Published in: Veterinary surgery Vol. 53; no. 7; pp. 1266 - 1276
• Main Authors: Cola, Veronica, Ferrari, Chiara, Del Magno, Sara, Foglia, Armando, Zanardi, Stefano, Ciammaichella, Luca, Capitani, Ombretta, Pietra, Marco, Pisoni, Luciano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-10-2024; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Analgesia; Chi-square test; Design factors; Dogs; Endoscopy; Foreign bodies; Intestine; Laparotomy; Localization; Population studies; Recovery
• ISSN: 0161-3499; 1532-950X; 1532-950X
• DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14126

Objective
To compare the outcome of the laparotomy‐assisted endoscopic removal (LAER) of gastrointestinal foreign bodies (FBs) with traditional enterotomy, and to determine which factors affected the ability to remove FBs.
Study design
Retrospective observational study.
Sample population
Dogs and cats (n = 81) with gastrointestinal FBs.
Methods
Dogs and cats were divided into Group 1 (LAER, n = 40) and Group 2 (Enterotomy, n = 41). The localization and characteristics of the FBs (sharp or blunt; discrete or linear; single or multiple) were evaluated statistically to identify the factors that affected the ability of LAER to remove, partially or completely, the FBs (χ2 test). The length of the postoperative stay, postoperative analgesia, and resumption of spontaneous feeding were compared between groups (Mann–Whitney U‐test). Short‐term follow up (14 days) was recorded.
Results
Laparotomy‐assisted endoscopic removal allowed complete or partial removal of FBs in 35/40 dogs and cats, regardless of the characteristics or the localization of the FBs. The presence of intestinal wall damage (p = .043) was associated with the conversion to an enterotomy. Group 1 required a shorter postoperative hospital stay (p = .006), less need for analgesia (p < .001), and experienced a faster resumption of spontaneous feeding (p = .012), and similar complication rate to Group 2.
Conclusion
Laparotomy‐assisted endoscopic removal resulted in a faster postoperative recovery when compared with an enterotomy. The FBs’ characteristics or localization did not affect the efficacy of the technique to remove FBs.
Clinical significance
Laparotomy‐assisted endoscopic removal allows the removal of a variety of FBs, avoiding intestinal incision and resulting in a fast postoperative recovery.