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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not improve recovery of deep pain perception in dogs after hemilaminectomy for
Leah T Kienitz1, Annette M McCoy2, Mitchell A Robbins1
1Department of Surgery, Veterinary Specialty Center, Bannockburn, IL.
Objective:
Investigate effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on recovery of deep pain perception (DPP) in dogs after hemilaminectomy for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD).
Methods:
Records of client-owned dogs with absent DPP in pelvic limbs after hemilaminectomy for IVDD from January 2014 through December 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy were divided into groups: received HBOT (HB) and no HBOT (NHB). Modified Frankel scores were assigned between 0 (absent DPP in either pelvic limb) and 5 (spinal hyperesthesia) preoperatively, postoperatively, and at recheck examination. Outcomes were compared using the Pearson χ2 test. Regression analysis assessed if other factors were associated with improvement in Frankel score.
Results:
110 dogs with absent DPP had thoracolumbar hemilaminectomies, 45 in HB group and 65 in NHB group. Thirty-three of 45 HB cases (73.3%) and 39 of 65 NHB cases (60%) improved neurologically by recheck examination (P = .21). There were no differences in neurological improvement between groups at any time point (P = .32). Multivariable regression analysis revealed worse odds of improvement for thoracolumbar relative to lumbar lesions (OR, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.0008 to 0.49; P = .04). Improvement odds with thoracolumbar lesions were lower in NHB than HB group (contrast OR, 0.029; 95% CI, 0.027 to 0.031; P = .01). HBOT session amount was not associated with improvement (P = .65).
Conclusions:
HBOT did not impact recovery of DPP after hemilaminectomy. Thoracolumbar lesions had lower odds of neurological improvement than lumbar lesions. Odds were improved with HBOT.
Clinical Relevance:
Findings may predict return to ambulation.
