title: Operative Techniques and Preliminary Outcomes Following Percutaneous Endoscopic Thoracolumbar Pediculectomy in Dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the technical feasibility of percutaneous endoscopic pediculectomy using a lateral approach and to evaluate its use for decompression and examination of the thoracic and lumbar spinal canals in small dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinically normal adult dogs (n=10).
  
  
  METHODS
  After optimizing the technique in cadavers, percutaneous endoscopic pediculectomy was performed using a lateral approach to the thoracic (T12) or lumbar (L2) vertebrae in 5 dogs each. Using fluoroscopic guidance, a K-wire, dilator, and (cannula) working sleeve were placed. A window for visualizing the spinal cord and floor of the spinal canal was created using a specialized drill, rongeurs, trephine, and elevator. Gait and neurologic status were monitored postoperatively, and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All procedures were completed successfully (T12, 45 ± 13 minutes; L2, 59 ± 14 minutes) with clear observation of the spinal cord and floor of the spinal canal. Normal ambulation was maintained in 9 dogs. One dog in the L2 group had ipsilateral hind limb weakness that resolved within 4 days. One dog in the L2 group suffered a fracture of the accessory process. One dog each in the T12 and L2 groups had hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted MRI images, suspicious of focal edema, which reduced at 4 weeks after initial examination, possibly reflecting gliosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediculectomy using a percutaneous endoscopic thoracolumbar lateral approach is feasible, provides a good view of the spinal canal, and may be an alternative for treatment of disk disease in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary