Comparative analysis of parameters of intraoperative and postoperative pain in bitches undergoing laparoscopic or conventional ovariectomy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the parameters of intraoperative and postoperative pain in bitches undergoing laparoscopic or conventional ovariectomy. The study was conducted on 20 healthy, adult bitches of medium and large breeds. All the bitches were subjected to the same anesthetic protocol. Carprofen was applied preoperatively, and general anaesthesia was carried out with a combination of medetomidine, propofol and sevoflurane. The bitches were divided into two groups of 10 individuals each. The first group underwent conventional ovariectomy while the second one was subjected to the laparoscopic procedure. The intensity of intraoperative pain was estimated at different time points by measuring changes in heart and respiratory rate, arterial blood pressure, and body temperature. A multifactor pain scale was used to assess the intensity of postoperative pain. Dogs in the group which was scheduled for conventional ovariectomy (COV group) responded to painful intra-operative stimuli with increased heart rate and respiratory rate. Arterial blood pressure and body temperature decrease was detected in COV group. Laparoscopic ovariectomy induced less intra- and postoperative pain when compared to conventional ovariectomy. Beside that, the total anaesthesia time and postoperative recovery were shorter in dogs that underwent laparascopic ovariectomy.