Page 3320 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Consent to Perform Gastropexy

VetBooks.ir Patient name:_________________________________
Pet owner’s name:_____________________________ Med rec #____________
Best contact during/after procedure (e.g., cell phone number):____________________

INTRODUCTION USE OF SEDATIVES OR ANESTHESIA
We want to make sure that you understand the planned surgical Gastropexy is a surgical procedure and requires general anesthesia.
procedure to be performed on your pet. You should know why the This means that your pet will be unconscious. Although anesthesia
surgery has been suggested, what the potential benefits are for is performed routinely with good outcomes, it does bring risks,
your pet, and the most common/important risks of the operation. including risk of death. These risks may be increased for animals
Alternatives to this procedure, when applicable, will be discussed with severe disease, including GDV. Precautions will be taken to
with you. It is also important that you recognize that medicine is minimize these risks, but they can never be eliminated. The decision
not an exact science, and that the outcome cannot be guaranteed. to perform this surgery is based on the assessment that the benefits
We encourage you to ask us as many questions as required for outweigh the anesthetic risks.
you to make a well-informed decision.
FORESEEABLE RISKS TO THE PROCEDURE
BENEFITS/OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF THE PROCEDURE Whether done through traditional surgery or through a keyhole
Gastropexy is a surgical procedure to “tack” the stomach in place (laparoscopic) method, a gastropexy is a surgical procedure and
within the abdomen to prevent it from moving or rotating. This is has associated risks. The most common risks with the surgery
ideally performed as a preventative, elective procedure to decrease include bleeding, infection, anesthetic risk, or breakdown of the
risk of future bloat and stomach displacement or twisting (gastric sutures, requiring a second surgery. Pets may develop abnormal
dilation and volvulus, or GDV). Often, preventive gastropexy is heart rhythms after surgery, particularly if the gastropexy is done
recommended for dogs of predisposed breeds at the same time to fix a GDV. Minor complications include stomach upset, diar-
as a neuter surgery (spay or castration). For dogs that do develop rhea, and postoperative pain. Very rarely, gastropexy can cause
a bloated and twisted stomach, gastropexy is performed as a abnormal stomach emptying that might result in vomiting. Failure of
part of a corrective and life-saving surgery; the intent is that the the tacking procedure resulting in recurrence of stomach twisting,
gastropexy will prevent the same problem from occurring again. while uncommon, is possible.

EXPLANATION OF THE PROCEDURE Other anticipated risks specific to your pet:___________________
The stomach is the part of the gastrointestinal tract that is between
the esophagus and the small intestines, in the front part of the _________________________________________________________
abdomen near the ribs. It is loosely held in place by connective
tissue and ligaments, which function to help keep the stomach in
the right position and orientation. In some disorders, such as gastric ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROCEDURE
dilation and volvulus; the stomach fills with gas and flips over on A prophylactic (preventative, elective) gastropexy is recommended
itself. This abnormal positioning prevents gas from moving through to reduce the chance of a life-threatening bloat in the future, but it
the stomach and cuts off blood supply to the rest of the body; this is not a mandatory procedure. For your pet, we believe the benefits
is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate surgery. of having the gastropexy performed outweigh any risk related to
Certain breeds of dogs, particularly large breeds with deep chests the surgery.
such as Great Danes, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, If your pet has a true gastric dilation and volvulus, surgery to fix the
poodles, and golden or Labrador retrievers, are predisposed to position of the stomach is required. A gastropexy will be performed
developing this condition. as part of the corrective procedure to prevent recurrence. The only
During gastropexy, the stomach is surgically attached to the inside humane alternative to surgical correction of GDV is euthanasia.
of the body wall. This is generally accomplished through making
a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity and suturing the wall AUTHORIZATION
of the stomach to the inside of the abdominal muscles. In some By signing this form below, you agree that:
cases, a minimally invasive laparoscopic method for gastropexy can • You understand how/why the procedure is likely to help your
be performed using a camera and instruments inserted through a pet
keyhole incision into the abdomen. We will explain to you which • You understand what will be done to your pet during the
method will be used for your pet. procedure
Additional procedures planned for your pet at the same time • You understand the known risks that accompany the procedure,
as the gastropexy: and also understand that unforeseen complications may occur
• You understand that the procedure may not produce the results
____________________________________________________________ we hope to achieve

From Cohn and Côté: Clinical Veterinary Advisor, 4th edition. Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.