Premium
Comparison of two surgical techniques for the management of cervical spondylomyelopathy in dobermanns
Author(s) -
Rusbridge C.,
Wheeler S. J.,
Torrington A. M.,
Pead M. J.,
Carmichael S.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1998.tb03749.x
Subject(s) - medicine , washer , surgery , decompression , lesion , mechanical engineering , engineering
A study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of two surgical techniques for the treatment of caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM): ventral decompression (slot) and vertebral distraction and stabilisation with a screw and washer (screw/washer). Twenty‐eight dobermanns managed surgically for disc‐associated CCSM during a four‐year period were studied retrospectively. The maximum postoperative period was 40 months. Cases were excluded if a minimum follow‐up of 24 months after surgery could not be made. A ‘slot’ took a longer time to perform and had a higher rate of immediate postoperative deterioration. Duration of hospital stay was similar for both procedures. At six months after surgery the two techniques were comparable; 12/14 (screw/washer) and 13/14 (slot) patients were deemed to have a satisfactory outcome. Recurrence of cervical spinal cord disease was higher in the screw/washer dogs. At one year after surgery the recurrence rate was zero (slot) and 5/14 (screw/washer), respectively. At two years after surgery 4/14 of the slot dogs had deteriorated compared to 7/14 of the screw/washer dogs. Where Investigated, the cause of deterioration was either a domino disc lesion or vertebral endplate collapse and dorsal displacement of the screw and washer.