What is Keyhole (Laparoscopic) Surgery for Pets?
Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery is a modern, minimally invasive technique that is increasingly recognised as the gold standard for a wide range of procedures in dogs and cats. Compared to traditional open surgery, there are many clear benefits. With smaller incisions, pets experience:
- Reduced post-operative pain
- Quicker recovery times
- Lower risk of complications (such as infection)
- Improved long-term outcomes
all of which help them return to their normal lives sooner.
At Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, we are proud to offer this advanced surgical option for pets, providing a safer and less invasive alternative to traditional open surgery. Our highly skilled veterinary surgeons use cutting-edge techniques to treat a wide range of conditions.
What to Expect?
Our team of highly trained specialists, including Matteo Cantatore, has extensive experience performing keyhole procedures. These include among others:
- Hepatobiliary procedures: laparoscopic liver biopsies, keyhole gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) and keyhole removal of selected liver cancer
- Urogenital procedure: keyhole spay, keyhole removal of abdominal cryptorchid testicles, cystoscopic laser ablation of ectopic urethers, minimally invasive bladder/urethral stone removal (laparoscopic assisted cystotomy, laser lithotripsy), laparoscopic kidney removal
- Gastrointestinal procedures: keyhole gastropexy to prevent gastric torsion, laparoscopic assisted gastrointestinal surgery for biopsy or treatment (select foreign bodies and tumours)
- Keyhole oncologic abdominal procedures: laparoscopic splenectomy, laparoscopic removal of pancreatic tumours, laparoscopic adrenalectomy
- Endoscopic laser ENT surgeries: laser turbinectomy in brachycephalic dogs, laser laryngectomy in selected cases
- Keyhole thoracic procedures: thoracoscopic biopsies, thoracoscopic pericardiectomy, thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation for chylothorax, keyhole removal of selected thoracic (lung/mediastinal) tumours
GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
Each of these procedures highlights the precision and effectiveness of keyhole surgery. Watch the video on keyhole Hepatobiliary Surgeries at Lumbry Park.
How Can Keyhole (Laparoscopic) Surgery Help My Pet?
Keyhole surgery is not suitable for every condition, but where it is appropriate, the benefits are clear: less pain, faster healing, shorter hospital stays and improved long-term outcomes.
One of the most transformative applications of this technique is in the management of gallbladder disease. In the past, surgery on the gallbladder was often delayed due to concerns around high complication and mortality rates. Unfortunately, this meant pets sometimes deteriorated before they could be safely treated.
Thanks to advances in laparoscopic surgery, we now know that early intervention dramatically improves outcomes. In fact, complication rates can be reduced to below 5% when patients undergo surgery before their condition worsens. By offering gallbladder surgery via a keyhole approach, we can provide pets with a safer, less invasive solution that supports a faster recovery.
If you are a pet owner, speak to your primary care vet about whether a referral to Lumbry Park may be right for your pet. Veterinary professionals are also welcome to contact us to discuss referral cases or learn more about the procedures we offer. Together, we can provide pets with the advanced care they deserve — helping them live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
