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.