Assessment of Postoperative Pain in Cats After Ovariectomy by Laparoscopy, Median Celiotomy, or Flank Laparotomy

Objective To compare postoperative pain, duration of surgery, and duration of anesthesia for 3 methods of ovariectomy in cats: (1) conventional ventral median open approach (Midline), (2) right flank approach (Flank), and (3) median 2‐portal laparoscopic procedure (Lap). Study Design Randomized, prospective clinical trial. Animals Healthy, sexually intact female cats (n = 60). Methods Cats were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: Midline (n = 20), Flank (20), and Lap (20) were evaluated 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours after endotracheal extubation. Postoperative pain was scored using the 4A‐vet pain scale that combines a subjective numerical pain rating and objective scoring of physiologic and behavioral variables including the response to stimulation of the surgical site. Pain scores (PS) were compared between groups. Results There was a significant difference in the PS between groups. PS for Midline and Flank were not significantly different but were both significantly higher compared with Lap. Depending on time, 5–20% of the cats had intense postoperative pain in both Midline and Flank groups. None of the Lap cats had intense postoperative pain. Conclusions Laparoscopic ovariectomy, although slower, appeared less painful compared with conventional ventral midline and flank ovariectomy. Postoperative pain did not differ significantly between midline and flank groups.