Vertebral subluxation following ventral cervical decompression in the dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Canine Orthopedics
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Cervical intervertebral disk disease (CIVDD) is a common condition in dogs.
• Ventral decompression via a ventral slot is a standard surgical treatment for CIVDD.
• Potential complications of ventral slotting include iatrogenic vertebral instability.

Observation:

• Nine dogs developed vertebral subluxation after ventral slot surgery.
• Subluxation commonly occurred at the C5-C6 intervertebral space.
• A high ventral slot width to vertebral body width ratio (≥0.50) was noted in most cases.

Findings:

• Vertebral subluxation is a documented complication following ventral slotting in dogs.
• The C5-C6 intervertebral space was the most frequent site of subluxation.
• Radiographic measurements indicated a potential correlation between slot width and instability.

Implications:

• This study highlights the risk of iatrogenic vertebral subluxation after ventral slotting.
• Careful consideration of slot dimensions and patient selection may be warranted.
• Further research into preventative strategies and optimal surgical techniques is needed to mitigate this complication.