Functional outcome in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy for thoracolumbar disc extrusion but without nociception > 96 h: A prospective study

A Ripplinger; M R Wrzesinki; J S Rauber; M L Schwab; D A Ferrarin; R Baumhardt; G Aiello; D V Beckmann; A Mazzanti

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105951

Functional outcome in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy for thoracolumbar disc extrusion but without nociception > 96 h: A prospective study

Vet J. 2023 Feb:292:105951. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105951. Epub 2023 Jan 13.

Authors

A Ripplinger¹, M R Wrzesinki², J S Rauber², M L Schwab², D A Ferrarin², R Baumhardt², G Aiello³, D V Beckmann⁴, A Mazzanti⁵

Affiliations

¹ Veterinary Medicine Postgraduate Program, Small Animal Surgery and Clinic Area, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Roraima, 1000 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: angelripplinger@hotmail.com.
² Veterinary Medicine Postgraduate Program, Small Animal Surgery and Clinic Area, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Roraima, 1000 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
³ Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Xanxerê, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
⁴ Universidade Federal do Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
⁵ Department of Small Animal Clinic, Veterinary Medicine Course, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Roraima, 1000 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

PMID: 36646271
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105951

Abstract

This prospective study investigated the functional recovery of surgically treated dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) without deep pain perception (DPP) for > 96 h. Dogs (n = 36) with paraplegia secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion with loss of deep pain perception ranging from 4 to 60 days were enrolled. All dogs underwent hemilaminectomy and fenestration of the affected intervertebral disc and postoperative follow-up was provided for a maximum of 180 days. Recovery of motor function was satisfactory (based on the owner's assessment) in 22 dogs, 61.1% (47.2% with DPP, and 13.9% without DPP) and unsatisfactory in 38.9% of cases (n = 14). Postoperative physiotherapy, preoperative anti-inflammatory drugs, and age had no effect on recovery. In this study, the longer the time taken to regain pain perception, the longer the recovery time. The median time to recovery was 30 days. A total of 47.2% of dogs with paraplegia and absence of DPP secondary to thoracolumbar IVDE lasting > 96 h, recovered functional ambulation after decompressive surgery.

Keywords: Deep pain perception; Dog; Intervertebral disc disease; Neurosurgery.