EXPLORATORY LAPAROTOMY

A few cases of chronic diarrhea may warrant an exploratory laparotomy, such as cats with mass lesions or those in which jejunal disease or submucosal pathology is suspected. When compared with an endoscopic examination, a surgical approach provides some advantages, including therapeutic mass removal, collection of full-thickness biopsy samples, and examination of the liver, pancreas, and abdominal lymph nodes. However, patient discomfort and recovery time are increased with surgery, and the risk-benefit ratio of surgery vs. endoscopy should be carefully evaluated in each patient. If surgery is performed, it is essential to evaluate the entire abdominal cavity. Even if focal disease is identified, it is often worthwhile to take full-thickness biopsy samples from each area of the GI tract, even if it looks and feels grossly normal.

CONCLUSION

Sally Purcell, DVM
Audrey K. Cook, BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-4474

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