title: Ventral surgical approach to the lumbosacral joint in the dog.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a ventral surgical approach to the lumbosacral (LS) junction, access to L7 and S1, and access to the LS disc.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Canine cadavers (n = 6).
  
  
  METHODS
  A ventral surgical approach to the LS junction was made and local anatomic structures documented. Accessible ventral L7 and S1 vertebral bodies and LS disc were marked with India ink. Total and marked surface areas were calculated. The potential for bicortical and unicortical implant placement was determined in transverse slices of L7 and S1. Exposed ventral disc annulus relative to vertebral canal diameters were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Portions of L7 and S1 were accessible in all dogs, but shape and dimensions varied. Ventral access for implant placement was available in both L7 and S1 in every dog. The median sacral artery and vein were in contact with the ventral LS disc annulus in every dog. Accessible ventral annulus were greater than vertebral canal in all dogs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ventral approach to the LS junction is possible, with LS discectomy, and implant placement in L7 and S1 vertebral bodies possible from this approach. Injury to, or sacrifice of, the median sacral artery and/or vein may occur in this approach.
authors.affiliation: Section of Veterinary Clinical Studies, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland. treidliachta@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
authors.forename: Pierre H M
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Moissonnier
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kirby
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*