Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery Q&A 02

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An eight-year-old St. Bernard is presented with signs of depression, abdominal distension and non-productive vomiting.

Question	Answer		Article
What is the most likely diagnosis?	Gastric dilatation-volvulus.		Link to Article
Describe the initial presurgical therapy.	Initial treatment consists of gastric decompression and treatment of shock. Gastric decompression is achieved by passing a stomach tube, percutaneous needle trocarization or temporary gastrostomy.		Link to Article
Describe the surgical correction of the problem, and name different surgical techniques to prevent recurrence.	A standard midline laparotomy is performed and the stomach is repositioned and decompressed. Stomach contents are removed using a large stomach tube or through a gastrotomy incision. The viability of the stomach is evaluated and non-viable parts are resected. The spleen is repositioned and inspected. Splenectomy is performed if viability is in doubt. The stomach is secured in a normal position by attaching the pyloric antral region to the adjacent right abdominal wall. Gastropexy techniques include tube gastrostomy and circumcostal, belt loop and incision gastropexy.		Link to Article