Abstract
PICO question
 In dogs that have undergone a complete splenectomy, does performing a concurrent gastropexy decrease the risk of future gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) development when compared to not performing a concurrent gastropexy?
 
 Clinical bottom line
 Category of research question
 Risk
 The number and type of study designs reviewed
 Five papers were critically reviewed which included one retrospective case series, one retrospective case-control study, and three combined retrospective cohort and cross-sectional survey studies
 Strength of evidence
 Weak
 Outcomes reported
 In dogs that have had a complete splenectomy, there is no conclusive evidence that prophylactic gastropexy decreases the risk of lifetime GDV development
 Conclusion
 Based on the limited information available, it is difficult to conclude if prophylactic gastropexy should be recommended routinely at the time of complete splenectomy
 
 How to apply this evidence in practice
 The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources.
 Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.
 
Highlights
Medical records of dogs were reviewed for patient history and follow-up information
There was no significant difference in incidence of Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) between the splenectomy and control groups
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach dilates and rotates on its mesenteric axis. While this disease process is more commonly recognised in large- to giant-breed dogs, a study performed by Maki et al (2017) revealed that GDV development is a documented post-surgical complication in some patients that have undergone a splenectomy
Summary
Population: Dogs that underwent exploratory laparotomy with suspected primary splenic torsion (PST) between August 1992 and May 2014 at seven referral hospitals. The percentage of dogs surviving to hospital discharge. The proportion of dogs undergoing splenectomy for PST that develop GDV in later life. Of the 64 dogs that follow-up information was available, 49 (77%) had a concurrent gastropexy at the time of splenectomy. In the dogs that had a concurrent gastropexy (49 dogs), one dog (2%) developed GDV 3 years after surgery. In the dogs that did not have a concurrent gastropexy (15 dogs), one dog (2%) developed GDV 4 months after surgery. The percentages of dogs with and without gastropexy that developed GDV were not significantly different.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
