Outcome of and complications associated with prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease: 277 cases (1992-2001).
OBJECTIVE
To determine outcome of and complications associated with prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
277 dogs.


METHODS
Medical records of dogs with a history of thoracolumbar disk disease in which the 7 intervertebral disks from T10-11 through L3-4 were ablated with a holmium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser inserted through percutaneously placed needles were reviewed. Complications and episodes of a recurrence of neurologic signs (eg, paresis or paralysis) were recorded. Owners were contacted by telephone for follow-up information.


RESULTS
Nine of 262 (3.4%) dogs for which follow-up information was available had a recurrence of paresis or paralysis. Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 85 months (mean, 15 months); signs recurred between 3 and 52 months (mean, 15.1 months) after laser disk ablation. Acute complications occurred in 5 dogs and included mild pneumothorax in 1 dog, an abscess at a needle insertion site in 1 dog, and proprioceptive deficits in 3 dogs, 1 of which required hemilaminectomy within 1 week because of progression and severity of neurologic signs. One dog developed diskospondylitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that prophylactic percutaneous laser disk ablation is associated with few complications and may reduce the risk of recurrence of signs of intervertebral disk disease in dogs.
Bartels
Kenneth E
KE
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Sarkeys Surgical Laser Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Higbee
Russell G
RG
Bahr
Robert J
RJ
Galloway
David S
DS
Healey
Tiffany S
TS
Arnold
Christopher
C
D000818:Animals; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome