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

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.