Gallbladder mucocele and the resulting extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO) are life-threatening diseases for small-breed dogs, which account for the majority of companion animal households in Korea. However, the veterinary field has mainly used surgical methods based on data from medium and large-breed dogs in Western countries, and this has left a technical gap when applying them to the delicate bile duct structures of small-breed dogs. In particular, “early migration” of the tube inserted to aid bile drainage after surgery—where the tube falls out too soon—has long been cited as a chronic issue that undermines treatment completeness.

A new surgical standard that can overcome these technical constraints in clinical practice and improve treatment success rates for small-breed dogs has now been established by a Korean veterinary team. The technique announced is a “modified double-fixation transpapillary biliary tube fixation” method that precisely reflects the anatomical characteristics of small-breed dogs.

The core of this study is a “two-tier” technique that secures the tube in two stages. The research team combined a primary fixation, in which special sutures are placed around the papillary region, with a secondary fixation that anchors the tube to the duodenal wall, thereby successfully ensuring a stable tube maintenance period of 2–4 weeks, longer than with existing methods. The technique is designed so that, after a certain period, the tube is naturally excreted in the stool, minimizing the physical burden on the canine patient while providing reliable drainage.

This achievement goes beyond a mere technical advancement at an individual medical institution and is considered highly significant in that it has established a “species-specificity-based medical system” optimized for the structure of the companion animal population in Korea. Despite Korea’s overwhelmingly high rate of small-breed dog ownership, there has been a lack of small-breed-specific guidelines for microsurgical bile duct procedures.

The research paper has been recognized for its originality and clinical value and has been accepted for publication in the latest issue of JSAP (Journal of Small Animal Practice), a world-renowned SCI-indexed international journal. This is expected to enhance the technological standing of Korean veterinary medicine.

Myung Hyeon-uk, chief surgeon at 24si Nel Animal Medical Center, who led the study, stated, “The development of this surgical technique is the result of efforts to overcome the technical constraints faced by small-breed canine patients in Korea, based on an in-depth understanding of hepatobiliary diseases,” adding, “We will not stop at this paper’s publication, but will further contribute to improving the quality of medical services for small-breed dogs in Korea through additional case reports and academic sharing based on real clinical cases.”

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