title: Microfenestration using the CUSA Excel ultrasonic aspiration system in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion: a descriptive cadaveric and clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an ultrasonic surgical aspirator assisted disk fenestration technique in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive cadaveric and prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh Beagle cadavers (n=5) and 10 chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric study: Intervertebral disks T12-L2 were fenestrated with the CUSA Excel in 5 Beagle cadavers, and fenestration efficacy assessed by morphologic examination of the completeness of fenestration and size of annulotomy. Clinical study: the affected intervertebral disk was fenestrated in 10 chondrodystrophic dogs treated by hemilaminectomy for thoracolumbar disk disease. Efficacy of fenestration was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean time necessary to perform CUSA assisted fenestration was 8 minutes (range, 5-10 minutes) for each disk in cadavers and patients. In cadaver spines, removal of the nucleus pulposus was complete in 11/15 disks. In 4 disks, remnants of nucleus pulposus material were observed on the contralateral side. Nuclear material was normal in 9/15 disks and showed evidence of chondroid degeneration on histopathologic examination in the 6 disks. Median annulotomy size was 3 mm. Clinically, no signs of early recurrence were observed and all dogs recovered uneventfully.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CUSA assisted fenestration is a safe and efficient method of fenestration for removal of most of the nucleus pulposus through a limited annulotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Radiology, University of Berne, Switzerland. frank.forterre@kkh.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forterre
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dickomeit
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Senn
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gorgas
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spreng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010009:Osteochondrodysplasias / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D014465:Ultrasonics