Influence of intervertebral disc fenestration at the herniation site in association with hemilaminectomy on recurrence in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disc disease: a prospective MRI study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the influence of fenestration at the disc herniation site on recurrence in thoracolumbar disc disease of chondrodystrophoid dogs.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Chondrodystrophic dogs (n=19).


METHODS
Dogs were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (9 dogs) had thoracolumbar disc extrusion (Hansen type I) treated by hemilaminectomy and concomitant fenestration of the affected intervertebral disc and group 2 (10 dogs) had hemilaminectomy without fenestration. All dogs had 3 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations: preoperatively, immediately postoperatively to assess removal of herniated disc material, and again 6 weeks after surgery.


RESULTS
There were 13 male and 6 female dogs; mean age, 7.1 years. Thoracolumbar disc herniation was confirmed with MRI. Immediate post surgical MRI revealed that the herniated disc removal was complete in all but 1 dog and that fenestration did not lead to complete removal of nucleus pulposus within the intervertebral disc space. On the 3rd MRI examination, none of the group 1 dogs had further disc material herniation at the fenestrated site. Six of the 10 group 2 dogs had a recurrence of herniation leading to clinical signs in 3 dogs (pain in 2 dogs, paresis in 1 dog).


CONCLUSIONS
In thoracolumbar disc herniation, fenestration of the affected intervertebral disc space prevents further extrusion of disc material.


CONCLUSIONS
Fenestration reduces the risk of early recurrence of disc herniation and associated postoperative complications.
Department of Surgery, Radiology and Neurology, Small Animal Clinic, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland. frank.forterre@kkh.unibe.ch
Franck
F
Forterre
Martin
M
Konar
David
D
Spreng
Andre
A
Jaggy
Johann
J
Lang
D000818:Animals; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006547:Hernia / Q000662:veterinary; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010009:Osteochondrodysplasias / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome