title: Transarticular facet screw stabilization and dorsal laminectomy in 26 dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis with instability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe outcome after transarticular facet screw stabilization and dorsal laminectomy for treatment of dynamic degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLS) in 26 dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 26) with dynamic DLS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (2004-2009) of dogs treated with transarticular facet screw stabilization and dorsal laminectomy were reviewed. Dogs (n = 26) were available for immediate postoperative follow-up, 21 dogs at 6 weeks, and 15 at greater than 6 months. Dogs were evaluated by radiographic assessment and owner questionnaire. Lumbosacral (LS) intervertebral disc (IVD) spaces were measured on pre and postoperative 6-week and 6-month radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 23 dogs, improvement in clinical signs occurred within 7 days of surgery. Overall postsurgical complication rate directly related to the surgical procedure was 15.4%. LS IVD space measurements taken immediately postoperatively, at 6 weeks, and ≥ 6 months were all significantly increased compared with preoperative measurements. All working dogs (4) returned to full work within 14 months. Most owners (85%) reported their dog was ambulating normally at 6 months with no perceptible lameness during normal activity. All owners perceived their dog's ability to walk, run, and jump after surgery to be improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transarticular facet screw stabilization and dorsal laminectomy maintains distraction of the LS IVD space for medium-to-large breed dogs with dynamic DLS with a high degree of owner satisfaction, and is comparable to other reported surgical techniques for DLS.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Specialist Group (VSG®) at UNITEC, Auckland, New Zealand. elyshia.hankin@tufts.edu
authors.forename: Elyshia J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hankin
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Jerram
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Christopher G A
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Warman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D003625:Data Collection; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires