Veterinary Surgery July 2026 – Soft Tissue: Minimally Invasive Ovariectomy & Managing Multiple Congenital Portosystemic Shunts

In this episode of the Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast, we explore the soft tissue research from the July 2026 issue (Issue 5) of Veterinary Surgery, where two studies demonstrate how precision—both in surgical technique and preoperative diagnosis—can significantly improve patient outcomes. One study objectively compares the physiologic effects of laparoscopic versus open elective ovariectomy, while the second examines the diagnosis and surgical management of dogs with multiple congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts, highlighting why meticulous imaging review is critical before entering the operating room.In this episode:✅ Calabria et al. compared laparoscopic (LAP) and open (OPEN) elective ovariectomy in 26 healthy anestrous dogs, measuring inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers before and after surgery. Although laparoscopic procedures required a median of 35 minutes compared with 25 minutes for open surgery, the minimally invasive approach produced a significantly milder inflammatory response, with interleukin-6 (IL-6) returning to baseline by postoperative day seven. Likewise, markers of oxidative stress (d-ROMs) showed only a transient increase following laparoscopy, whereas dogs undergoing open surgery demonstrated persistently elevated oxidative stress throughout the first postoperative week. The findings provide objective evidence that reduced tissue manipulation outweighs the effects of slightly longer anesthesia time, supporting laparoscopy as the less physiologically traumatic approach. ✅ Vogel et al. reviewed the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes of 15 dogs with two or three congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (MEHPSS). Nearly half of the affected dogs were Miniature Schnauzers, and the most common vascular pattern combined a left gastrophrenic (LGP) shunt with a left gastroazygous (LGA) shunt. Importantly, the study found that the left gastrophrenic shunt was overlooked on the initial CT examination in one-third of cases, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of the diaphragmatic region before surgery. Despite their complex anatomy, 86% of dogs achieved good or excellent long-term outcomes following standard surgical attenuation, demonstrating that multiple congenital shunts do not necessarily carry a poorer prognosis than solitary shunts when every anomalous vessel is correctly identified and treated. Together, these studies reinforce a central message in small animal surgery: better outcomes come from reducing unnecessary physiologic trauma and recognizing anatomic complexity before the first incision is made.🎓 Journal Articles DiscussedCalabria et al. — Surgical Impact of Laparoscopic and Laparotomic Elective Ovariectomy on Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in DogsVogel et al. — Clinical Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes for Dogs with Two or Three Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts📚 From the July 2026 Issue (Issue 5) 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