Retrospective study of thoracolumbar ventral fenestration through intercostal thoracotomy and paracostal laparotomy in the dog

Abstract

The records of 29 dogs, grouped according to breed, sex, age and neurological status, as well as duration of symptoms, T-L disks involved, time elapsed for functional recovery, and success rates were studied. The Dachshund represented 55.18% (n = 16) of the cases, mongrel dogs, 13.8% (n = 4), Poodle, Basset Hound and English Cocker Spaniel, 6.89% each (n = 6) and German Shepherd, Beagle and Pinscher, 3.45% each (n = 3), being 51.72% males and 48.28%, females, with a mean age of 68.03 months. The neurological status corresponded to 13.8% of the dogs belonging to GI (pain), 41.8% to GII (paresis), 27.6% to GIII (paraplegia, with positive deep pain) and 17.2% to GIV (paraplegia with loss of deep pain). Symptoms varied in duration between two and 60 days, corresponding the averages of 18.5 days (GI), 12.3 days (GII), 8.28 days (GIII) and 4.2 days (GIV). Percentage of affected disks was: T10/11 (10.81%), T11/12 (24.33%), T12/13 (40.55%), T13/L1 (16.21%) and L1/2, L2/3 and L3/4, 2.7% each. Mean time of recovery, in days, was: 16 (GI), 19.1 (GII), 20.6 (GIII) and 30.6 (GIV), when 100% of dogs in groups I, II and III recovered both neurological and motor functions. Group IV showed 80% of success. It is concluded that ventral fenestration yields excellent results, although proper case selection must be considered.