Effect of width of disk fenestration and a ventral slot on biomechanics of the canine C5-C6 vertebral motion unit

Abstract

Analysis of these results suggests that fenestration and ventral slot procedures each affect the biomechanics of the C5-C6 VMU. Width of a fenestration or ventral slot up to 50% of the width of C5-C6 may be clinically acceptable.

High‐Definition Video Telescope‐Assisted Ventral Slot Decompression Surgery for Cervical Intervertebral Disc Herniation in 30 Dogs

“…Our study confirmed that a lateralized disc herniation can be removed trough a ventral slot centered on the midline. These data are consistent with the results of a previous study on ventral slot decompression surgery by Böttcher et al In our study, the dimensions of the ventral slot were smaller than the safe limits recommended: 33% of the vertebral body length and 30–50% of the vertebral body width . Residual extradural compression in our study seemed to be less frequent (57% of cases) when compared to a previous study by Böttcher et al (77% of cases) .…”

Degenerative changes of the canine cervical spine after discectomy procedures, an in vivo study

“…They demonstrated a significant increase in flexion/extension range of motion post surgery indicating that these procedures may have a destabilizing effect of the involved segment [8, 12]. …”

“…cage, prosthesis or bone grafts) as done routinely in humans [11]. Removal of the disc and subsequent altered segmental functionality [8, 10, 12] could enhance degenerative changes [9, 13], which is why several authors advocate not to perform discectomies especially for prophylactic purposes [14, 15]. However, the correlation of discectomy procedures and segmental degenerative changes is somewhat hypothetical as it has not been studied in vivo.…”

Use of an ex vivo canine ventral slot model to test the efficacy of a piezoelectric cutting tool for decompressive spinal surgery

“…Several technical modifications have been suggested to mitigate the risks associated with ventral slot surgery . The inverted cone and slanted slot techniques are intended to minimize the amount of bone removal, therefore reducing the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative vertebral subluxation.…”

“…The inverted cone and slanted slot techniques are intended to minimize the amount of bone removal, therefore reducing the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative vertebral subluxation. Creation of the slot within well‐defined margins and strict centering of the slot over sagittal midline are also considered important precautions to minimize the potential for inadvertent trauma to the vertebral venous sinus . Regardless of the technical modification, the recommended approaches for ventral slot surgery all require bone removal using a motorized burr (MB) .…”