Follow‐up study of 100 cases with thoracolumbar disc protrusions treated by lateral fenestration

Abstract

One hundred‐and‐seventeen dogs with thoracolumbar disc protrusions were treated by lateral fenestration over a five year period. The results obtained in 100 of these cases are presented. The overall success rate was 87 per cent but only 33 per cent of those with paraplegia and loss of conscious pain sensation regained the use of their hindlimbs.

Thoracolumbar disc disease

“…The main disadvantages of fenestration are that recovery rates and times are prolonged for dogs with grade 3 and 4 deficits compared to decompression (Butterworth and Denny, 1991;Davies and Brown, 2001) (Tables 8.1, 8.2). Results are much worse than decompression for dogs with grade 5 deficits (Table 8.1).…”

Hemilaminectomy for the treatment of thoracolumbar disc disease in the dog: a follow‐uo studv of 40 cases

“…The use of multiplc prophylactic disc fenestration in conjunirion with decompressive surgery is contiovcrsial and its eficacy has been disputed by some workers (Brown and others 1977, Prara 1981, Fingeroth 1989. Disc fenestration has been shown to reduce significantly the likelihood of recurrence in some studies (Davies andSharp 1983, Butterworth andDenny 1991) but n o t in another (Levineand Caywood 1984).…”

“…The approach to an individual case will be influenced by the proper staging of the disease (Davies and Sharp 1983, Wheeler 1989, Butterworth and Denny 1991. The duration of clinical signs and economic factors will also influence the decision of whether to intervene surgically.…”

“…Black 1988, Jeffery 1988, Lubbe and others 1994, Yovich and others 1994. Fenestration without decompression has been used by some authors for the treatment of all grades of disc extrusion (Flo and Hrinker 1975, Denny 1978, Davies and Sharp 1983, Butterworth and Denny 1991. However, studies that have compared the results of conservative treatment and fenestration have served to illustrate the prophylactic rather than the therapeutic benefits of the procedure (Funkquist 1978, Davies andSharp 1983).…”

Autotransplanting of Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells for Complete Cases of Canine Paraplegia and Loss of Pain Perception, Secondary to Intervertebral Disc Herniation

“…Past studies have shown that the postoperative recovery rate of surgical decompression conducted on dogs with severe IVDH associated with loss of pain perception and paraplegia, to vary between 33% and 76%. 4,[10][11][12][13] The recovery rate of the BM-MNC transplant group in this study also was markedly higher when compared to the rates reported by other researchers. The canine spinal column consists of 7 cervical vertebrae (7 in humans), 13 thoracic vertebrae (12 in humans), 7 lumbar vertebrae (5 in humans), and sacral vertebrae.…”