title: Predictors of outcome after dorsal decompressive laminectomy for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs: 69 cases (1987-1997).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify predictive factors of long-term outcome after dorsal decompressive laminectomy for the treatment of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  69 client-owned dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of dogs that had undergone dorsal laminectomy at North Carolina State University and the University of Tennessee between 1987 and 1997 were reviewed. Dogs with diskospondylitis, traumatic lesions, or neoplasia of the lumbosacral region were excluded. All dogs had evidence of cauda equina compression on myelography, epidurography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, along with subsequent confirmation of the lesion at surgery. Follow-up was performed by telephone inquiries to the referring veterinarian, the owner, or both, using a detailed questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The outcome was excellent or good in 54 of 69 (78%) dogs over a mean follow-up period of 38+/-22 months. Five of these 54 dogs had been incontinent for a median of 2 weeks prior to surgery. Six of the 15 dogs with a poor outcome had been incontinent for a median of 8 weeks before surgery. A significant correlation was detected between the presence of urinary and fecal incontinence prior to surgery and outcome. When duration of signs was considered, urinary incontinence was the only variable that significantly affected outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decompressive laminectomy is an effective treatment for DLSS, although dogs with urinary or fecal incontinence have a worse prognosis than dogs that are continent before surgery. Chronic urinary incontinence is a predictor of poor outcome for dogs with DLSS.
authors.affiliation: Surgery Department, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Risio
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Olby
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Muñana
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary