Evaluation of the economic and clinical viability of laparoscopy in small animal practice in France ; Évaluation de la viabilité économique et clinique de la coelioscopie en chirurgie vétérinaire des animaux de compagnie en France

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery technique that consists in observing or operating inside the abdominal cavity through small openings in the abdominal wall. Organs are not viewed directly by the surgeon but through an endoscope passing through these small openings. The use of this technique is not widespread within the French veterinary community, but brings many clinical benefits to patients. Less post-operative pain, shorter recovery time, fewer complications, fewer post-operative intra-abdominal adhesions and smaller scars have been demonstrated by numerous studies in recent years. There is a consensus on the clinical interests provided by laparoscopy but this technique has a major drawback: the investment in equipment and in surgeon training significantly increases the fees for pet owners, only a few being covered by pet insurances. The difference in costs can reach several hundred euros between the two techniques. In our study, the factors that most influenced pet owners' decisions regarding surgery for their pets were the cost of the procedure, post-operative pain and the likelihood of recurrence or serious complications. On the contrary, the duration of hospitalization or the duration of strict activity restriction seem to be less important for pet owners. In our sample, dog owners surveyed were on average willing to pay up to an additional €268.78 (95% CI [227.43; 310.14]) for laparoscopic ovariectomy and up to an additional €403.54 (95% CI [335.52; 471.55]) for any other laparoscopic surgery compared to laparotomy. However, on average, a surgical fee of more than €1,300 has a negative influence on the decisions made by pet owners who will tend to prefer a less expensive surgical technique. ; La coelioscopie est une technique mini-invasive qui consiste à observer ou à intervenir à l'intérieur de la cavité abdominale par de petites ouvertures de la paroi abdominale. Les organes ne sont pas visualisés directement par le chirurgien mais via un moniteur relié un endoscope passant à travers ces ...