Gastropexy

Gastropexy creates a permanent adhesion between the stomach and adjacent abdominal wall or adjoining viscera. Most gastropexies are performed as part of emergency treatment after stomach derotation in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus, or to help prevent this condition. Many gastropexy techniques have been described, including a variety of incisional gastropexies, the belt-loop and circumcostal gastropexy, gastrocolopexy, incorporating gastropexy, endoscopic-assisted gastropexy, and more recently, laparoscopic-assisted and intracorporeal gastropexy. This chapter discusses the procedures involved in gastropexy for gastrointestinal tract in dogs and cats. It focuses on tube gastropexy, incisional gastropexy, belt-loop gastropexy, circumcostal gastropexy, gastrocolopexy, incorporating gastropexy, endoscopically assisted gastropexy, laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy, and laparoscopic gastropexy. The chapter also provides tips and tricks for a successful surgery and potential complications and recommends procedures of the post-operative care.