Recurrence rates in dogs with GDV treated with gastric decompression versus dogs treated with gastric decompression and gastropexy

Question In dogs diagnosed with gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), does gastric decompression and gastropexy reduce the risk of recurrence of dilatation compared to dogs undergoing gastric decompression alone? Clinical bottom line Category of research: Treatment. Number and type of study designs reviewed: Four papers were critically reviewed. Two papers were retrospective studies, and two were prospective. Strength of evidence: Strong. Outcomes reported: In dogs with GDV, the risk of recurrence of this disease was much lower when gastropexy was performed. Conclusion: The studies comparing the recurrence rates in dogs with GDV treated either with gastric decompression (with or without gastric repositioning) or with gastric decompression and gastropexy indicate that gastropexy will significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.