Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the reduction of spinal cord compression after surgical treatment of dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusion achieved using hemilaminectomy versus mini-hemilaminectomy techniques. This was a prospective randomized study with client-owned dogs presented with acute IVD extrusion that were allocated to surgical treatment using hemilaminectomy (n = 15) or mini-hemilaminectomy (n = 15) techniques. Plain and intravenous-contrast computed tomography was performed pre- and postoperatively. The preoperative minimal cross-sectional dimension of the spinal cord (MDSCpre) and the postoperative minimal cross-sectional dimension of the spinal cord (MDSCpost) were measured at the level of greatest compression. The minimal diameter of the uncompressed spinal cord was measured in a similar way both pre- (MDUSCpre) and postoperatively (MDUSCpost). Dogs in the mini-hemilaminectomy group had significantly greater reduction of compression (RC) (p < 0.01) after surgery compared to dogs in the hemilaminectomy group. The mean RC in the hemilaminectomy group was 34.6% and in the mini-hemilaminectomy group 62.6%. Our results showed a significantly greater reduction of spinal cord compression for mini-hemilaminectomy compared to hemilaminectomy. Additionally, mini-hemilaminectomy could be a preferred method due to its minimal invasiveness and easier access to lateral fenestration.
Highlights
Intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusion is a common disorder in dogs with a reported overall prevalence of 2–3.5% and a higher prevalence in chondrodystrophic dogs [1,2,3]
The purpose of this study was to compare the reduction of spinal cord compression achieved by surgical treatment of IVD extrusion between hemilaminectomy and mini-hemilaminectomy, evaluated through pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans
To the author’s knowledge, this is the first time the residual spinal cord compression after hemilaminectomy and minihemilaminectomy has been compared in dogs
Summary
Intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusion is a common disorder in dogs with a reported overall prevalence of 2–3.5% and a higher prevalence in chondrodystrophic dogs [1,2,3]. Surgical decompression is a well-accepted treatment for dogs with neurological deficits secondary to IVD extrusion [4,5,6]. Several different surgical methods have been described for the treatment of IVD extrusion and among them are hemilaminectomy and mini-hemilaminectomy [4,5,6]. Mini-hemilaminectomy was first described by Jeffery and differs mainly from hemilaminectomy in two ways [7]. First in the mini-hemilaminectomy procedure, the facet joint is not removed as it is using the hemilaminectomy technique. Lateral approach to the spine can be adopted when performing
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