Comparing Pain and Stress in Cats: Laparoscopic vs. Open Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): Jeong Changwoo, Yi Kangwoo, Yu Yong, Heo Suyoung
Primary Institution: Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan-si, Republic of Korea
Hypothesis
Laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy (LAOHE) will result in less postoperative pain, stress, and inflammation than open ovariohysterectomy (OHE), while showing comparable duration of surgery and complication rates.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy significantly reduces postoperative pain and stress in cats compared to traditional open ovariohysterectomy.
Supporting Evidence
- Cats in the LAOHE group exhibited significantly lower pain scores compared to the OHE group at 1, 4, and 8 hours postoperatively.
- Cortisol levels were significantly lower in the LAOHE group, indicating reduced stress.
- There were no significant differences in surgical time or postoperative complications between the two groups.
Takeaway
This study found that using a special laparoscopic surgery on cats causes them less pain and stress than the traditional method.
Methodology
40 healthy female cats were randomly assigned to undergo either laparoscopic-assisted or open ovariohysterectomy, with pain assessed using the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale and cortisol levels measured as a stress biomarker.
Potential Biases
No significant risks of bias were reported.
Limitations
The relatively small sample size may limit the ability to detect subtle differences, and the study focused on short-term recovery outcomes without assessing long-term complications.
Participant Demographics
30 healthy, sexually intact female cats, including 26 Korean Shorthairs, 2 Scottish Folds, and 2 Russian Blues.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.029
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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