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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Does multiple-site disk fenestration lower back disk herniation

By Brisson, Brigitte A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2011·Department of Clinical Studies, Canada·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Comparison of the effect of single-site and multiple-site disk fenestration on the rate of recurrence of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in dogs.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A group of small-breed dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH) underwent surgery to relieve pressure on their spinal cords. Some dogs received treatment at just one disk site, while others had multiple sites treated. The results showed that dogs treated at multiple sites had a lower chance of experiencing a recurrence of IVDH compared to those treated at a single site. This suggests that if your dog is facing this type of surgery, asking about multiple-site disk fenestration could be beneficial in reducing the risk of future problems.

People also search for: dog back surgery recovery · intervertebral disk herniation treatment · small breed dog spinal surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess whether multiple-site disk fenestration decreases the incidence of recurrent thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH), compared with single-site disk fenestration, in small-breed dogs treated for IVDH. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 207 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs undergoing decompressive surgery of the spinal cord because of thoracolumbar IVDH between 2001 and 2004 were randomly assigned to receive single-site disk fenestration at the level of surgical decompression (n = 103) or multiple-site disk fenestration of all disks from T11 through L4 (104). Follow-up consisted of complete reevaluation of patients, telephone surveys, and further surgery if signs indicative of recurrence occurred. RESULTS: 189 dogs were available for long-term follow-up: 95 dogs in the single-site disk fenestration group and 94 in the multiple-site disk fenestration group. Twenty-four dogs developed 28 confirmed episodes of recurrent thoracolumbar IVDH. The rate for first-time recurrence was 12.7% (24/189). First-time recurrence rates for single-and multiple-site disk fenestration groups were 17.89% (17/95) and 7.45% (7/94), respectively. Dogs undergoing single-site disk fenestration were significantly more likely to have recurrent thoracolumbar IVDH than were dogs undergoing multiple-site disk fenestration. Disk mineralization at the time of first surgery was associated with recurrence, and 87.5% (21/24) of recurrences occurred at a disk space adjacent to or 1 disk away from the initial lesion. Regardless of disk fenestration group, 22 of 24 (91.7%) recurrences occurred at a nonfenestrated disk space. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multiple-site disk fenestration decreased the rate of recurrent IVDH in small-breed dogs, compared with the use of single-site disk fenestration.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21671814/