This article describes a surgical technique, known as dorsal laminectomy, annulectomy, and distraction stabilization, for the management of canine degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. The study aimed to evaluate the complications and outcomes of this technique, as well as changes in foraminal width and vertebral step. The medical records of 30 dogs treated between 2005 and 2020 were examined. The results showed that most dogs experienced clinical improvement and reduced pain scores after surgery. However, there were a few cases of catastrophic complications and major complications that required additional surgery. The study also found that the procedure significantly increased foraminal width and reduced lumbosacral step defect. The authors concluded that this complex procedure can be beneficial for improving gait characteristics and reducing pain in dogs with lumbosacral stenosis, but it should be performed by experienced surgeons
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : most specialised spine centre in the world
Published article
OBJECTIVE: To describe the dorsal laminectomy, annulectomy and distraction stabilization with pins and polymethylmethacrylate technique, its complications and outcome in the management of canine degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. To determine pre- and post-surgical foraminal width and vertebral step changes.
Lumbar Decompression Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2021 Nov;34(6):427-436. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1735647. Epub 2021 Oct 1.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: To describe the dorsal laminectomy, annulectomy and distraction stabilization with pins and polymethylmethacrylate technique, its complications and outcome in the management of canine degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. To determine pre- and post-surgical foraminal width and vertebral step changes.STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective clinical study.METHODS: Medical,
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2021 Nov;34(6):427-436. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1735647. Epub 2021 Oct 1.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the dorsal laminectomy, annulectomy and distraction stabilization with pins and polymethylmethacrylate technique, its complications and outcome in the management of canine degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. To determine pre- and post-surgical foraminal width and vertebral step changes.
STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective clinical study.
METHODS: Medical records (2005-2020) of dogs treated (n = 30). Clinical signs, Modified Frankel Score, Texas Spinal Cord Injury Score, pain score (dorsal palpation of spine, tail dorsiflexion), imaging findings and complications were retrieved pre-operatively, perioperatively and at long-term follow-up.
RESULTS: The most common presurgical imaging findings were disc protrusion (24/25) and sclerosis of the caudal end-plate of L7 (23/30). On short- to long-term assessment 18 out of 21 dogs exhibited clinical improvement and all exhibited improved pain scores (p < 0.0001). Catastrophic complications occurred in 3 dogs, and major complications occurred in 5, of which 3 required additional surgery. Mean lumbosacral step defect reduced 60% (1.8 mm ± 2.5 mm pre-surgery to 0.7mm ± 0.9mm post-surgery, p = 0.1585). Mean foraminal width significantly increased 50% long-term (3.3 mm ± 1.0 mm pre-surgery to 5.0 mm ± 0.9 mm post-surgery, p < 0.0001).
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dorsal laminectomy, annulectomy and distraction stabilization is a complex procedure which can significantly increase foraminal width, reduce pain and improve gait characteristics in dogs in the short- to long-term, and should be performed by surgeons experienced in lumbosacral pin placement.
PMID:34598302 | DOI:10.1055/s-0041-1735647
The London Spine Unit : most specialised spine centre in the world
Read the original publication:
Distraction Stabilization of Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis: Technique and Mid- to Long-Term Outcome in 30 Cases
