In veterinary medicine, biopsies can be taken for a variety of different reasons, from a variety of different areas. These biopsies can be taken via open surgery, or through laparoscopy which is considered to be a minimally invasive technique.
How are Laparoscopic Biopsies Taken:
This procedure often involves making small incisions using laparoscopic instruments and the use of a laparoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera) to visualise the internal structures and organs. This technique requires a much smaller incision site, often one or two in order to place the laparoscope and the instruments, the abdomen is also filled with carbon dioxide to aid visualisation within the abdomen.
What Samples are Taken:
As previously mentioned, biopsies are taken most often for diagnostic purposes of suspected damaged or infected tissues. Areas that can be sampled laparoscopically are:
- Liver biopsies – samples are usually taken in cases of liver disease or to confirm neoplasia.
- Kidney biopsies – samples taken to aid diagnosis of conditions such as renal tumours or glomerulonephritis.
- Adrenal biopsies – samples taken to investigate possible adrenal gland tumours or other abnormalities.
- Pancreatic biopsies – samples taken often in cases of pancreatic disease such as pancreatitis or pancreatic tumours.
- Gastrointestinal biopsies – samples taken from the gastrointestinal tract, this can include the stomach or intestines and are often used to diagnose gastrointestinal disorders, tumours or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Lymph node biopsies – samples taken for investigation of lymphoma or other lymphatic disorders.
What are The Benefits:
Laparoscopic procedures offer several advantages over traditional open surgeries, including smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, quicker recovery times, and potentially fewer complications. This is often due to the fact there has been minimal tissue disruption within the body, which can also contribute to decreased postoperative pain. Each patient should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and based on the veterinary surgeon’s expertise.