Study Start Date: 10/01/2020
Study End Date: 10/01/2021

The Use of a Minimally Invasive Integrated Endoscopic System to Perform Hemilaminectomies in Chondrodystrophic Dogs with Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Extrusions

Intervertebral disc herniation is common in chondrodystrophic breeds and often occurs in the thoracolumbar spine. Surgical access to the spinal canal and herniated disc is typically performed by a hemilaminectomy, which traditionally requires considerable muscle dissection and retraction. In humans, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of the spine is gaining widespread use allowing shorter surgery times, decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stays, less post-surgical pain medication, and decreased complications. The goal of MIS is to perform a surgical technique with the least trauma without sacrificing the outcome of the patient. As instrumentation becomes more available in veterinary medicine new studies developing minimally invasive spine procedures are underway with a continual need for more.

Study Design:
Prospective, Case-controlled, Randomized, Blinded

Sample Size:
8 dogs

Inclusion Criteria:

• T3-L3 myelopathy requiring surgery
• Single intervertebral disc extrusion
• Body weight of 15kg or less
• Chondrodystrophic breed
• Paraplegia Nociception (see exclusion criteria if nociception isn’t present)
• Signed Owner Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any previous spinal conditions
• Chronic spinal conditions (>14 days)
• Lacking nociception >48 hours by time of surgery
• Concurrent malignancy or other serious systemic disorder incompatible with this study
• Non-chondrodystrophic breed

Study Controls:
Standard open-approach hemilaminectomy

Study Endpoints:
Post-operative assessment at 2 weeks using standardized assessment forms

Files for Download:
MIS Flyer
MIS Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
MIS Hemilaminectomy Client Info Sheet
Client Consent Form
Additional information can be found here: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/clinical-trials/novel-surgery-technique-for-paralyzed-dogs/

Costs/Reimbursements:
For each eligible dog, $2500 will be contributed towards the cost of the surgery as incentive for enrollment. The appointment fee of the 2-week follow-up visit will be at no charge; any other charges incurred will be the responsibility of the client.

Full Disclosure information:
The study is funded by a grant from a client donation.
The investigator does not have a conflict of interest.
The study will be published if results are negative
The study will be reported on VIN
The authors will acknowledge VIN if the study is published