Spinal instability resulting from bilateral mini-hemilaminectomy and pediculectomy

A four-year-old male Dachshund was presented with pelvic limb paresis due to intervertebral disc extrusion. The spine was surgically explored and decompressed by a bilateral mini-hemilaminectomy and intervertebral disc fenestration at T12-13, and a bilateral pediculectomy of T13. Five days post-operatively, the dog deteriorated because of T13 dorsal laminar subluxation and secondary spinal cord compression. This was surgically investigated and stabilised using bilateral articular facet positional screws and a dorsal spinal plate; the dog subsequently recovered well. Clinically significant spinal instability associated with mini-hemilaminectomy and pediculectomy surgery has not been reported previously.