Omental flap study explores lateral laparotomy in cats and dogs

Omental flap study suggests a lateral laparotomy option in cats and dogs

A new cadaver study in Animals reports that veterinary surgeons could access and mobilize the greater omentum through a lateral approach laparotomy in both cats and dogs, potentially avoiding patient repositioning during some extra-abdominal procedures. The authors evaluated 22 cadavers, including 13 cats and 9 dogs, and found that dorsal extension of the greater omentum was achieved in all specimens without major structural damage. Further elongation with an inverted L-shaped pedicle flap was successful in 17 of 22 cadavers, with no significant difference between left- and right-sided approaches. The paper argues this could offer an alternative when animals are already positioned in lateral recumbency for thoracic or limb surgery. (mdpi.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the practical value is workflow and risk reduction. Omental pedicle flaps are already used because the omentum brings vascular, lymphatic, and immunologic support to difficult wounds and surgical sites, but access is usually described through a ventral midline coeliotomy. In extra-abdominal cases, that can mean repositioning a patient that is already draped and prepared in lateral recumbency. Prior canine cadaver work showed that lengthened omental pedicle flaps can reach axillary and inguinal regions, while a recent review highlighted the omentum’s underused role in soft tissue surgery and orthopedics. This new study adds an anatomic proof-of-concept for getting to that tissue from the side instead of the midline. (mdpi.com)

What to watch: The next step is clinical, in vivo validation to see whether the lateral approach improves operative efficiency or outcomes, and whether flap viability and complication rates hold up outside the cadaver lab. (mdpi.com)