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How to perform a splenectomy in a dog | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Videos

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, we discuss approach to the dog with a splenic mass. Work up should include a metastasis check, including thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound (to rule out hepatic metastasis, etc.). Additional work up should include clinicopathologic testing including a CBC, chemistry panel and coagulation panel (e.g., PT/PTT). The patient should be stabilized prior to general anesthesia with IV crystalloids, colloids or even blood products if warranted (e.g., if the patient fails to respond to initial crystalloid/colloid resuscitation). In this video, the board-certified surgeon uses the Ligasure to help with more rapid removal of the spleen. Thorough abdominal exploratory is warranted and biopsies taken if necessary to rule out metastasis. The spleen should be submitted for histopathology/biopsy. Post-operative monitoring includes continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring, PCV/TS monitoring, fluid therapy, analgesia, and symptomatic supportive care.

  1. I appreciate the video, it was high quality and very well-positioned. My only concern how general it is and how it is not universally applicable. Unfortunately, those of us who do not and will never (because of certain corporate bottom-line tactics) have ligasure or even cautery (because we are “high quality” after all) may not be able to relate much to this. At the end of the day everyone doing these surgeries knows there is only 1 way to take out a spleen… by detaching all connected vessels and adhesions (as close to the spleen as humanly possible). Might be worth renaming the video to “10 Tips when performing a splenectomy with a ligasure device” to be more specific. Like I said, I do like the video and I wish I had your equipment.

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