Work performed at Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
Original Article - Clinical
Recurrent Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Extrusion after Hemilaminectomy and Concomitant Prophylactic Fenestration in 662 Chondrodystrophic Dogs
Article first published online: 1 MAR 2012
© Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Volume 41, Issue 3, pages 381–390, April 2012
How to Cite
Aikawa, T., Fujita, H., Shibata, M. and Takahashi, T. (2012), Recurrent Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Extrusion after Hemilaminectomy and Concomitant Prophylactic Fenestration in 662 Chondrodystrophic Dogs. Veterinary Surgery, 41: 381–390. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2012.00970.x
Presented in part at the ACVS Veterinary Symposium October 22, 2010, Seattle, WA
- Issue published online: 11 APR 2012
- Article first published online: 1 MAR 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: JAN 2012
- Manuscript Received: SEP 2010
To determine the prevalence and location of recurrent thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (T-L IVDE) after hemilaminectomy with prophylactic fenestration (PF) and to document PF-related complications.
Retrospective case series.
Chondrodystrophic dogs (n = 793).
In 662 successfully recovered dogs (>1 year follow-up), the prevalence of dogs with recurrent T-L IVDE that required a 2nd surgery and dogs with clinical signs that improved without surgery was evaluated. Prevalence of second disc extrusions (SDEs) within T11-L4 intervertebral discs was compared between PF discs and non-PF discs.
T-L SDEs were intraoperatively confirmed in 15 dogs (2.3%), 2–61 months after initial surgery and 66 dogs (10.0%) had signs of T-L IVDE recurrence that improved without surgery (mean follow-up, 44.7 months). No dog had further extrusion at the initial T-L site. SDE occurred at a PF disc (n = 1), adjacent to PF discs (8), or at distant discs (6). Prevalence of SDE in non-PF discs was 26.2 times higher than PF discs (95% CI: 3.4, 203.4; P < .001). Major PF-related complications included iatrogenic introduction of the disc material into the spinal canal (n = 1), and vertebral subluxation/instability (3) at 1–88 months postoperatively.
SDE is more likely to occur at non-PF discs than PF discs when PF is performed at spaces predisposed to disc extrusion. PF is a safe and effective treatment to prevent SDE in chondrodystrophic dogs.