Omental flap study explores lateral laparotomy in cats and dogs: full analysis

A newly published cadaver study suggests veterinary surgeons may be able to prepare an omental pedicle flap in cats and dogs through a lateral approach laparotomy, rather than relying only on a ventral midline abdominal approach. Published April 28, 2026, in Animals, the study tested whether the greater omentum could be accessed and mobilized while patients remained in left or right lateral recumbency, a position commonly used for extra-abdominal procedures involving the thorax or limbs. (mdpi.com)

That question matters because the omentum has become a useful adjunct in veterinary surgery, especially when clinicians want vascularized tissue to support healing, control dead space, or help manage contaminated or chronic wounds. The challenge is logistical as much as anatomical: many extra-abdominal surgeries are performed with the patient in lateral recumbency, while standard access to the omentum is typically through a ventral midline coeliotomy. Repositioning can add time, disrupt preparation, and, in some cases, increase contamination or handling risk. (mdpi.com)

In the new study, investigators examined 22 cadavers, including 13 cats and 9 dogs. They reported that dorsal extension of the greater omentum was possible in every specimen without major structural damage. When they added an inverted L-shaped pedicle flap technique to gain more reach, that was completed without rupture in 17 of 22 cadavers, or 77.3%. The authors also reported no significant difference between left- and right-sided lateral approaches, supporting the idea that either side may be workable depending on the primary procedure. Their conclusion was measured: lateral laparotomy appears to provide reliable access to the greater omentum and may be useful when repositioning is not feasible or carries added surgical risk. (mdpi.com)

The study builds on earlier work rather than appearing in a vacuum. A 2016 canine cadaver study in Veterinary Surgery found that a splenic artery-based omental pedicle flap could reach beyond the axillary and inguinal regions, and the authors called for clinical trials to evaluate the technique in vivo. Separately, a 2024 review in Animals described the omentum as underused in small animal surgery and summarized reports of its application in chronic wounds, thoracic defects, abscess management, and orthopedic reconstruction. (biblio.ugent.be)

That background is important because the clinical appeal of omental tissue is already familiar to many surgeons. The review notes that the omentum contributes macrophages, lymphocytes, mast cells, and rich vascular support, features that help explain why it has been used in contaminated fields and difficult-to-heal sites. Reported veterinary applications have included management of mediastinal abscesses, chronic axillary wounds in cats, and infected or slow-healing fractures in dogs, though much of that literature remains limited to case reports, small series, or cadaver models. (mdpi.com)

No outside expert commentary tied specifically to this April 2026 paper was readily available in the sources I found, but the broader literature points in a consistent direction: surgeons see the omentum as a versatile biologic tool, while also recognizing that technique, reach, and preservation of blood supply are the limiting factors. That makes this study less a practice-changing result than a technical data point that could widen options for reconstructive, thoracic, and orthopedic cases where lateral positioning is already part of the plan. (mdpi.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the main takeaway is procedural flexibility. If a lateral approach can reliably provide access to the omentum, surgeons may be able to avoid repositioning some patients during extra-abdominal procedures, which could simplify draping, reduce handling, and potentially lower contamination risk. At the same time, this remains cadaver evidence. It does not yet answer the questions that matter most in live patients, including flap perfusion over time, postoperative pain, complication rates, ease of closure, and whether the approach improves healing or efficiency in real cases. (mdpi.com)

What to watch: Watch for in vivo case series or prospective clinical studies testing the lateral approach in thoracic, limb, wound reconstruction, or orthopedic patients, because that is where this technique will either move into practice or remain an anatomical proof-of-concept. (mdpi.com)