Comparison of the access window created by hemilaminectomy and mini-hemilaminectomy in the thoracolumbar vertebral canal using computed tomography.
Hemilaminectomy and mini-hemilaminectomy were performed on opposite sides of the spine at T11-T12, T13-L1, and L2-L3 in 11 canine cadavers in order to report differences in the access provided to the thoracolumbar vertebral canal. Measurements of the vertebral canal height, defect height, and dorsal and ventral remnants of the vertebral arch were obtained after computed tomography. A median of 7% to 20% of the vertebral canal height was not removed dorsally after mini-hemilaminectomy compared to 1% to 2% in hemilaminectomy. Thirteen to 25% of the vertebral canal height was left ventrally in mini-hemilaminectomy and 11% to 27% in hemilaminectomy. Potential for a restricted exposure of thoracolumbar lesions should be considered if lesions are located in the ventral 11% to 27% vertebral canal height when performing either procedure or in the dorsal 7% to 20% of the canal height when performing a mini-hemilaminectomy.
Department of Clinical Studies (Huska, Gaitero, Brisson, Nykamp), Deparment of Biomedical Sciences (Thomason), and Deparment of Population Medicine (Sears), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Jonathan L
JL
Huska
Department of Clinical Studies (Huska, Gaitero, Brisson, Nykamp), Deparment of Biomedical Sciences (Thomason), and Deparment of Population Medicine (Sears), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Luis
L
Gaitero
Department of Clinical Studies (Huska, Gaitero, Brisson, Nykamp), Deparment of Biomedical Sciences (Thomason), and Deparment of Population Medicine (Sears), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Brigitte A
BA
Brisson
Department of Clinical Studies (Huska, Gaitero, Brisson, Nykamp), Deparment of Biomedical Sciences (Thomason), and Deparment of Population Medicine (Sears), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Stephanie
S
Nykamp
Department of Clinical Studies (Huska, Gaitero, Brisson, Nykamp), Deparment of Biomedical Sciences (Thomason), and Deparment of Population Medicine (Sears), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Jeff
J
Thomason
Department of Clinical Studies (Huska, Gaitero, Brisson, Nykamp), Deparment of Biomedical Sciences (Thomason), and Deparment of Population Medicine (Sears), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
William C
WC
Sears
D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary*