Veterinary Surgery February 2026 – Soft Tissue Part 4: Foreign Body Decision-Making & EndoGIA Lobectomy

In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we wrap up our soft tissue coverage from the February 2026 issue of Veterinary Surgery with two studies that refine decision-making at the intersection of diagnostics and technique.From predicting laparoscopic success in GI foreign bodies to rethinking stapling technology in open thoracic surgery, these papers emphasize how better planning—and better tools—can improve outcomes in high-stakes procedures.In this episode:✅ Toth et al. — A prospective study evaluating abdominal ultrasound for surgical planning in canine GI foreign bodies. Ultrasound correctly identified foreign body type and morphology in 96.8% of cases, but consistently underestimated size. Importantly, location—not size—determined surgical success, with a 0% success rate for laparoscopic-assisted removal when objects were lodged at the caudal duodenal flexure. Linear foreign bodies were safely managed laparoscopically only if they did not extend past this anatomic bottleneck. ✅ Weaver et al. — A retrospective study of 46 open lung lobectomies using the EndoGIA stapler, traditionally reserved for minimally invasive procedures. The device achieved zero major intraoperative complications, with over 82% of cases complication-free intraoperatively. While postoperative complications occurred (~10.8%), these were linked to underlying disease severity, not device failure. The EndoGIA’s articulating design and triple-staple row deployment improved maneuverability, hemostasis, and air leak prevention in confined thoracic spaces. Together, these studies highlight a key surgical principle: the best outcomes come from matching the right approach—and the right tools—to the underlying anatomy and pathology.🎓 Journal Articles DiscussedToth et al. — Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic evaluation prior to laparoscopic-assisted gastrointestinal foreign body removal in 30 dogsWeaver et al. — Use of the Endo GIA™ stapler for lung lobectomy in dogs and cats undergoing open thoracic procedures (intercostal, transdiaphragmatic thoracotomy or median sternotomy): A retrospective study of 46 lung lobectomies📚 From the February 2026 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Want to learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample?Learn More: www.simini.comRequest a Sample:https://www.simini.com/evaluation-kit