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Chik et al: Prestretching increases working space at the same insufflation pressure in dogs undergoing laparoscopic procedures
Veterinary Surgery 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Prestretching (PS) at 10 mmHg for 3 minutes significantly increased working space at 6 mmHg IAP — IWL +4.4%, IWS +6.9%.
  • PS provided ≈63% of the IWL and ≈66% of the IWS gains achieved with sustained 10 mmHg IAP.
  • All laparoscopic procedures were completed at 6 mmHg after PS; no conversions or pressure increases were needed.
  • Working space benefits persisted throughout surgery — end-of-procedure measurements were unchanged from post-PS baseline.
  • Transverse expansion (RLAT/LLAT) was greater than sagittal (CRA/CAU), consistent with adult abdominal wall compliance.
  • No adverse anesthetic events occurred; mild complications (e.g., gas leakage) were easily managed.
  • Large breed dogs were overrepresented, but all dogs served as their own controls, normalizing size effects.
  • Prestretching is a simple, effective technique to maximize working space without increasing insufflation pressure.

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← Articles

Chik et al: Prestretching increases working space at the same insufflation pressure in dogs undergoing laparoscopic procedures
Veterinary Surgery 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Prestretching (PS) at 10 mmHg for 3 minutes significantly increased working space at 6 mmHg IAP — IWL +4.4%, IWS +6.9%.
  • PS provided ≈63% of the IWL and ≈66% of the IWS gains achieved with sustained 10 mmHg IAP.
  • All laparoscopic procedures were completed at 6 mmHg after PS; no conversions or pressure increases were needed.
  • Working space benefits persisted throughout surgery — end-of-procedure measurements were unchanged from post-PS baseline.
  • Transverse expansion (RLAT/LLAT) was greater than sagittal (CRA/CAU), consistent with adult abdominal wall compliance.
  • No adverse anesthetic events occurred; mild complications (e.g., gas leakage) were easily managed.
  • Large breed dogs were overrepresented, but all dogs served as their own controls, normalizing size effects.
  • Prestretching is a simple, effective technique to maximize working space without increasing insufflation pressure.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Chik 2025 et al., on abdominal wall prestretching, which anatomical direction showed the greatest increase during insufflation?

A. Cranial
B. Sagittal
C. Caudal
D. Transverse
E. Vertical

Answer: Transverse

Explanation: Transverse expansion (RLAT and LLAT) was significantly greater than sagittal changes (CRA and CAU).
In Chik 2025 et al., on abdominal wall prestretching, what type of complications were most commonly encountered during the study?

A. Gastrointestinal rupture
B. Severe hypercapnia
C. Major anesthetic events
D. Iatrogenic vascular injury
E. Gas leakage at port sites

Answer: Gas leakage at port sites

Explanation: Gas leakage occurred in 34% of dogs, but was mild and easily resolved; no major anesthetic or surgical complications occurred.
In Chik 2025 et al., on abdominal wall prestretching, what was the effect of prestretching on the need for increased insufflation or conversion to open surgery?

A. Conversion was needed in 20% of cases
B. Prestretching delayed surgery in half the cases
C. No dogs required increased insufflation or conversion to open
D. All cases needed higher IAP
E. Most cases required emergency open conversion

Answer: No dogs required increased insufflation or conversion to open

Explanation: All 50 dogs completed laparoscopic procedures at 6 mmHg after PS, without conversion or pressure increase.
In Chik 2025 et al., on abdominal wall prestretching, what percentage of the working space improvement achieved at 10 mmHg was retained after returning to 6 mmHg?

A. 20%
B. 42%
C. 63%
D. 88%
E. 100%

Answer: 63%

Explanation: PS retained 62.9% of the IWL and 66.3% of the IWS benefits of 10 mmHg insufflation.
In Chik 2025 et al., on abdominal wall prestretching, what was the observed effect on working space when PS was applied at 10 mmHg for 3 minutes and then reduced to 6 mmHg IAP?

A. No change in intra-abdominal working space (IWS)
B. Working space decreased compared to baseline
C. Working space returned to baseline within 5 minutes
D. Working space increased by 6.9% compared to baseline
E. Working space exceeded that achieved at 10 mmHg

Answer: Working space increased by 6.9% compared to baseline

Explanation: Prestretching at 10 mmHg for 3 minutes resulted in a 6.9% increase in IWS when pressure was reduced back to 6 mmHg.

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