Keyhole surgery, also known as laparoscopy, uses a single small incision or several small incisions to allow placement of a camera and instruments into the abdomen or thorax. This can be required for both diagnostic and treatment purposes.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques allow for quicker and less painful recoveries compared with traditional open surgery. Sometimes the use of the camera can make diagnostic procedures more accurate.
Biopsy of abdominal or thoracic organs is the most common reason we perform keyhole surgery in cats. The liver, gall bladder, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, urinary bladder, kidney, lung and pleural (chest wall) tissues can be accessed using these techniques.
Depending on the location and specific case some tumours can be removed in this manner also.
Most patients are good candidates for keyhole surgery however some specific conditions mean that traditional surgery is a better option. We will discuss these options with you during your consultation.
