First report of gasless laparoscopy for the treatment of severe ectopic dioctophymosis in a puppy

Dioctophymosis is uncommon in juvenile dogs, both in renal and ectopic presentations. Caused by the nematode Dioctophyme renale, which shows low sensitivity to anthelmintic drugs, surgery is considered the treatment of choice. An alternative approach is gasless laparoscopic surgery, in which pneumoperitoneum is not established and the surgical working space is created by mechanical elevation of the abdominal wall. This technique maintains normobaric intra-abdominal conditions and avoids the cardiorespiratory alterations, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and inflammatory response associated with pneumoperitoneum. This study reports the case of a dog approximately four months of age with severe ectopic parasitic infestation, treated by gasless laparoscopy. The animal originated from a dog shelter during the May 2024 floods in southern Brazil, and was referred for ultrasonographic evaluation, which revealed numerous tubular structures surrounding the right kidney. Neither kidney showed intrarenal involvement. Surgical removal of the parasites was performed via gasless laparoscopy using a multidirectional traction platform (VET90000; Bhio Supply®, RS, Brazil). The system consisted of a base fixed to the surgical table, to which hemostatic forceps were attached to secure the sutures used for elevation of the abdominal wall musculature. Two laparoscopic ports were used without gas control valves. Nematodes were found encircling the entire right kidney and were grasped and directly removed, totaling nine worms measuring 10 to 41 cm in length. The patient showed good postoperative recovery. The VET90000 platform enabled laparoscopy without the need for hyperbaric pneumoperitoneum and facilitated parasite removal due to the absence of valves in the working ports. Gasless laparoscopy proved to be a feasible and curative approach for treating severe ectopic dioctophymosis in a juvenile dog.