Laparoscopic vs regular spay?

[7238SM]

I have a 4yr old, poodle X I'd like spayed. I understand recovery is quicker from laparoscopic, but the vet said they remove the ovaries. Wouldn't this mean she's still at risk from pyometra?

She's has a 5p size, umbilical hernia since birth which has never caused a problem. 1 vet said they should remove it when she is spayed- in case its an issue when she is older. The incision from a regular spay would go through this area anyways, but the laparoscopic, would required a 3rd incision to remove it.

Any advice, experience appreciated.

I had my girl done with the "full" spay (both ovaries and uterus removed). My vets do not offer the laparoscopic one (where usually only ovaries removed).

Pyometra is an infection of the uterus, usually driven by ovarian hormones.

I asked my vet why they did not offer the laparoscopic spay when recovery time is quicker and they said that they think the full spay offers the best protection. "She cannot get an infection of a uterus that she does not have."

My vet tried to ‘upsell’ me a key hole spay, he said the wound would be smaller.
If you avoid the possibility of pyometra from the traditional spay I’d be going for that.

A lap spay is the same as a conventional spay, just 3 - 4 small holes rather than one big one. In a larger dog it can mean a smaller hole therefore a smaller recovery time, but the abdominal wall has still been cut through so the same issues apply.

Ovary sparing spay is different.

Some sports people do it so they can get their dogs back more quickly but it's still a major op.

We opted for a traditional spay for our 6.5 Kg terrier then 4 weeks of rest then 2 of building back up slowly. She was just over 2 and now you can't see the wound at all. I didn't see the point in paying £600 more when I was going to rest her anyway. It literally is down to the rest period.

A lap spay is the same as a conventional spay, just 3 - 4 small holes rather than one big one. In a larger dog it can mean a smaller hole therefore a smaller recovery time, but the abdominal wall has still been cut through so the same issues apply.

Not so, lap spay only removes the ovaries usually and leaves the uterus. As pyometra is normally hormone driven this removes nearly all risk of pyometra even though the uterus is still present. A traditional spay usually (not always) removes both ovaries and uterus. So it's a more invasive surgery over and above the different incision sizes. Although some vets still only remove the ovaries even if non laparoscopic.

Ovary sparing spay is something different again.