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Median manubriotomy for ventral access to the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic spine
Author(s) -
Mateo Isidro
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/vsu.13412
Subject(s) - medicine , cadaveric spasm , cadaver , spinal cord , thoracic vertebrae , cervical vertebrae , surgery , clinical significance , anatomy , lumbar vertebrae , lumbar , pathology , psychiatry
Objective To describe median manubriotomy to access the ventral aspect of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic spine and report the outcomes in dogs with lesions affecting the spinal cord at C6‐T2 vertebral bodies. To evaluate possible complications of this technique and clinical outcomes. Study design Cadaveric study and short case series. Study population Two cadavers and nine dogs with lesions affecting the spinal cord at C6, C7, T1 or T2 vertebral bodies or corresponding intervertebral spaces. Methods Two cadavers were used for demonstration purposes. Medical records (2013‐2019) were reviewed for dogs undergoing median manubriotomy to facilitate access to the ventral aspect of C6‐T2 vertebral bodies and/or corresponding intervertebral disc spaces. Data on preoperative and postoperative neurological status and diagnostic imaging, surgical technique, and complications were retrieved. Results Indications for surgery included C7‐T1 disc extrusions in five dogs, caudal cervical misalignment in three dogs, and C7‐T1 and T1‐T2 disc protrusions in one dog. The vertebral bodies of C6 to T2 were consistently visualized after median manubriotomy. Preoperative clinical signs resolved in five dogs and improved in two dogs. One dog was euthanized for lack of improvement, and one dog died of pulmonary thromboembolism. Conclusion Median manubriotomy improved the surgical access to the ventral aspect of caudal cervical and cranial thoracic spine without related complications. Clinical significance Median manubriotomy can be considered in dogs undergoing ventral decompression and/or stabilization of C7‐T1 and T1‐T2 intervertebral disc spaces.