Comparison between a laparoscopic articulating needle driver with standard laparoscopic instrumentation for total...

To compare the utility of a mechanical laparoscopic articulating needle driver (ALI) to standard laparoscopic instrumentation (SLI) during the creation of a total laparoscopic gastropexy (TLG) in dogs.

Prospective clinical trial.

A total of 17 client owned dogs.

Dogs underwent elective prophylactic TLG and were randomized to ALI or SLI for the first gastropexy suture line. The second line was performed with the alternate instrumentation. Duration of intracorporeal suturing, NASA-Task Load Index (TLX) questionnaire, modified Instrument Function and Ergonomics survey, and intraoperative incidents were documented per suture line.

Seven female, seven male, two male-sterilized, and one female-sterilized dogs were included. Median weight was 38 kg (range: 17.9-66 kg). Four Standard Poodles and German Shepherd dogs each, two Bernese Mountain dogs, and one each of the Airedale, Armenian Gampr, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, Anatolian Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, and mixed breed were enrolled. Median time to complete the suture line with SLI (6 min, range: 5-10) was significantly shorter than ALI (8 min, range: 6-11, p < .001). Averaged NASA-TLX scores of mental demand (p = .030), performance (p = .014), effort (p = .030), and frustration (p = .042) were significantly greater for ALI suture lines compared to SLI. Two grade 2 adverse events occurred during TLG.

Suture time and surgeon workload was negatively affected by ALI use compared to SLI. Adverse events were rare and all dogs had TLG successfully completed.

Both devices can be used to perform TLG. While initial comparison favored SLI, the utility of ALI requires further investigation.