Beyond pneumoperitoneum: technical feasibility and predictive factors for gasless laparoscopic cholecystectomy in dogs

Abstract

This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of gasless laparoscopic cholecystectomy in dogs, identifying factors associated with surgical time and survival. Twenty-five dogs with symptomatic gallbladder disease—predominantly gallbladder mucocele (72.0%) and cholelithiasis—underwent cholecystectomy using a mechanical abdominal wall lift system. Variables including gallbladder volume, age, body condition score, and intraoperative complications were recorded. Statistical analyses employed Pearson’s chi-squared, Spearman’s correlation, regression analysis for surgical time predictors, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank tests. No significant association was found between breed and biliary condition. However, surgical time was significantly and positively correlated with body weight and body condition score ( p < 0.001). Linear regression indicated that each 1 kg increase in body weight added approximately 4 min to the procedure. Gallbladder volume did not correlate with surgical duration. Survival analysis revealed that dogs with gallbladder mucocele had a significantly lower probability of overall survival compared to cholelithiasis ( p = 0.014). The results demonstrate that the gasless laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a viable and safe alternative for canine patients, especially those at a high cardiorespiratory risk. While increased body weight is a critical predictor of prolonged surgery, the primary biliary pathology remains the most significant determinant of survival.

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