Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Gossypiboma Postconventional Ovariohysterectomy in a Bitch.

Introduction . Gossypiboma is a rare surgical complication in small animals. The authors reported the laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of an abdominal gossypiboma and chronic draining fistula postopen ovariohysterectomy (OVH) unresponsive to medical treatment in a bitch. Case Presentation . The patient had undergone OVH and exploratory laparotomy in other veterinary practice 3 years previously. The animal, presenting a chronic fistula, was then referred to UFSM Veterinary Hospital. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a structure compatible with a granuloma. For the laparoscopic procedure, a 3-port (two at 11 mm; one at 6 mm) access was used. Adhesiolysis and mass removal were performed by blunt dissection and bipolar electrocoagulation. The fistula was treated by mobilising the omentum through it. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. The chronic wound showed first intention healing. The mass was composed of fibrous tissues surrounding one surgical gauze. Discussion and Conclusion . The removal of a retained surgical gauze in the abdomen by laparoscopy has already been described in medicine. However, a laparoscopic approach for treating a fistulous draining tract due to a gossypiboma has not been previously reported in dogs. Laparoscopic exploration of the fistula allowed the use of a pedicled omental flap through infected sites to control chronic infection. Laparoscopic surgery can be used to identify and treat abdominal gossypiboma in dogs, including those with chronic abdominal sinus.
Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest.
(Copyright © 2021 Maurício Veloso Brun et al.)