Partial thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy in dogs and cats – review

Abstract

Intervertebral disk disease is one of the most common neurological conditions in dogs; thoracolumbar disk is a usual cause of neurological dysfunction in this species. Several clinical and surgical treatments have been described, ranging from acupuncture and confinement to the use of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and muscle relaxant drugs, as well as the employment of varied surgical decompression techniques. The partial thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy is an alternative and effective surgical technique to treat chronic and acute thoracolumbar disk disease. It allows adequate access to the floor of the spinal canal for removal of disc material with minimal handling of the spinal cord, allowing wide and effective decompression. This review deals with anatomical, surgical and biomechanical aspects of this technique, and discusses its indications, advantages and disadvantages.