Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2000; 13(04): 165-171
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632655
Original Researcll
Schattauer GmbH

Lumbar spine stability following hemilaminectomy, pediculectomy, and fenestration

T. P. Hill
1   Department of Companion Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria
,
A. M. Lubbe
1   Department of Companion Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria
,
A. J. Guthrie
2   The Equine Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
› Author Affiliations
The authors would like to acknowledge the University of Pretoria for the funding of this research project.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 19 October 1999

Accepted 03 June 2000

Publication Date:
09 February 2018 (online)

Summary

The destabilising effect of the removal of a single vertebral diarthrosis and the ipsilateral incision of the anuliis fibrosus at two adjacent vertebrae in the canine lumbar spine was quantified in an in vitro study. Lumbar spine segments, from the first to fourth lumbar vertebrae, were harvested from canine cadavers and divided into 1 control group (A) and 3 experimental groups - hemilaminectomy and fenestration (B), pediculectomy and fenestration (C), fenestration alone (D). Samples were subjected to 4 point lateral bending to point of failure. Stiffness, maximum bending moment (Mbmax), angular deformation and bending moment at 15° (Mb at 15°) variables were determined for each group. Hemilaminectomy and fenestration had the greatest decrease in Mbmax, Mb at 15° and stiffness and the greatest increase in angular deformation. Pediculectomy and fenestration and the fenestration alone procedures caused similar and significant reductions in Mb at 15° and stiffness. Pediculectomy was less destabilizing than hemilaminectomy, although this difference was not statistically significant. Fenestration is the common and greatest destabilizing factor. The removal of a single pedicle and accessory process has minimal destabilizing effects.

The destabilizing effect of hemilaminectomy, pediculectomy and fenestration were quantified and compared in a study using canine cadaver spines. The combination of hemilaminectomy and fenestration produced the greatest degree of instability, but fenestration was the shared, most significant, single destabilizing factor.

 
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