Unilateral biportal endoscopic partial cervical laminectomy and facetectomy: An ex vivo study and case report

To determine the feasibility of a unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) partial cervical laminectomy and facetectomy in canine cervical vertebrae.

Cadaveric study and case report.

Fourteen normal beagle cadavers and a 5-year-old spayed female Doberman pinscher.

Unilateral biportal endoscopic laminectomies were performed at C3-4 and C6-7, extending from the interlaminar junction to the corresponding nerve root, followed by probing. Feasibility was based on the ability to visualize (scored 0-2) and probe anatomical landmarks, complications, and computed tomographic measurements of the bone window. Intraoperative and postoperative parameters were compared between left- and right-sided approaches. One Doberman pinscher with wobbler syndrome underwent UBE laminectomy with vertebral distraction and fusion at C5-6.

Anatomical landmarks were consistently probed, and visualization scores were 2 ± 0. Dural injuries were noted at three sites. Median surgical time was 31.5 (17.5-145) min. Instrument and endoscope portals measured 1.21 ± 0.3 and 1.0 (0.6-1.8) cm, respectively. Laminectomy ratios, defined relative to the contralateral intact lamina, were 39.9% ± 20.6% (cranial) and 20.7% ± 23.9% (caudal). No differences were detected between left- and right-sided approaches. In the clinical case, proprioceptive ataxia resolved within 1 month after surgery, and neurologic examination at the 6 month follow up was normal.

Unilateral biportal endoscopic laminectomy provided adequate visualization in cadaveric specimens and was associated with a successful outcome in one clinical case.

Unilateral biportal endoscopic laminectomy can be considered a minimally invasive alternative for dorsal decompression of the cervical spine in dogs.