In vitro radiographic characteristics and biomechanical properties of the canine lumbar vertebral motion unit after lateral corpectomy, mini-hemilaminectomy and hemilaminectomy

F. de Vicente; F. Bernard; D. FitzPatrick; P. Moissonnier

doi:10.3415/VCOT-12-02-0016

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2013; 26(01): 19-26
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-12-02-0016

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

In vitro radiographic characteristics and biomechanical properties of the canine lumbar vertebral motion unit after lateral corpectomy, mini-hemilaminectomy and hemilaminectomy

Authors

F. de Vicente

¹University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Studies, Small Animal Surgery, Dublin, Ireland
F. Bernard

²Unité de chirurgie, Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire Saint-Martin, Saint-Martin-Bellevue, France
D. FitzPatrick

³University College Dublin, Mechanical Engineering Department, Dublin, Ireland
P. Moissonnier

⁴Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons Alfort Cedex, France

Abstract

Summary

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of three surgical procedures (left lateral corpectomy [LC], LC plus mini-hemilaminectomy [LC-MH], and LC plus hemilaminectomy [LC-H]) on the biomechanics and intervertebral collapse of a lumbar vertebral motor unit (VMU).

Methods: Six canine cadaveric first and second lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2) VMU were retrieved. Range-of-motion (ROM) was measured while a custom-built mechanical simulator applied 3 Nm torque in lateral bending, flexion and extension to the intact VMU and following the three surgical procedures (LC, LC-MH, LC-H) performed sequentially. Radiographs were taken with and without 3 kg axial compression at each step.

Results: Left lateral corpectomy and LC-MH significantly increased the ROM in left lateral bending and total lateral bending. A LC-H significantly increased the ventral, left, right, total lateral, and total dorsoventral ROM. Significant intervertebral collapse was observed after LC-H with and without axial compression, and after LC and LC-MH, but only with axial compression.

Clinical significance: A LC induces significantly increased ROM in lateral bending to the side of the surgery and in total lateral ROM. Extending the LC to a LC-MH does not change the spinal column stability compared to LC alone, while it provides better access to the spinal canal. The LC-H further destabilizes the VMU. The finding of intervertebral collapse following these surgical procedures confirms the importance of the intervertebral disc and articular facet in the maintenance of spatial integrity.

Keywords

Corpectomy - mini-hemilaminectomy - hemilaminectomy - biomechanical.

Full Text

References

References
1 Lubbe A, Kirberger R, Verstraete F. Pediculectomy for thoracolumbar spinal decompression in the dachshund. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1994; 30: 233-238.
2 Flo G, Brinker W. Lateral fenestration of thoracolumbar disks. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1975; 11: 619-626.
3 Redding R. Laminectomy in the dog. Am J Vet Res 1951; 12: 123-128.
4 Schulman A, Lippincott C. Dorsolateral hemilaminectomy in the treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 1987; 9: 305-310.
5 Jeffery N. Treatment of acute and chronic thoracolumbar disk disease by ‘mini’ hemilaminectomy. J Small Anim Pract 1988; 29: 611-616.
6 Moissonnier P, Meheust P, Carozzo C. Thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy for treatment of chronic disk herniation: technique description and use in 15 dogs. Vet Surg 2005; 33: 620-628.
7 Jeffery N. Treatment of acute and chronic thoracolumbar disc disease by 'mini hemilaminectomy'. J Small Anim Pract 1988; 29: 611-616.
8 Toombs J, Waters D. Intervertebral disc disease. In: Slatter editor Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2002. pg. 1193-1209.
9 Sharp NJH, Wheeler SJ. Thoracolumbar disc disease. In: Small Animal Spinal Disorders: Diagnosis and Surgery. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2005. pg. 121-159.
10 Corse M, Renberg W, Friis E. In vitro evaluation of biomechanical effects of multiple hemilaminectomies on the canine lumbar vertebral column. Am J Vet Res 2003; 64: 1139-1145.
11 Schulman A, Lippincott C. Dorsolateral hemilaminectomy in the treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs. Comp Cont Educ Pract Vet 1987; 9: 305-310.
12 Forterre F, Spreng D, Rytz U. et al. Thoracolumbar dorsolateral laminectomy with osteotomy of the spinous process in fourteen dogs. Vet Surg 2007; 36: 458-463.
13 Flegel T, Boettcher I, Ludewig E. et al. Partial lateral corpectomy of the thoracolumbar spine in 51 dogs: Assessment of the slot morphometry and spinal cord decompression. Vet Surg 2011; 40: 14-21.
14 Reves NV, Bürki A, Ferguson S. et al. Influence of partial lateral corpectomy with and without hemilaminectomy on canine thoracolumbar stability: A biomechanical study. Vet Surg 2011; 41: 228-234.
15 Mason T. Cervical vertebral instability (wobbler syndrome) in the Dobermann. Aust Vet J 1977; 53: 440-445.
16 Dallman M, Moon M, Giovannitti-Jensen A. Comparison of the width of the intervertebral disk space and radiographic changes before and after intervertebral disk fenestration in dogs. Am J Vet Res 1991; 52: 140-145.
17 Forterre F, Konar M, Spreng D. et al. Influence of intervertebral disc fenestration at the herniation site in association with hemilaminectomy on recurrence in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disc disease: a prospective MRI study. Vet Surg 2008; 37: 399-405.
18 Senoucci M, Fitzpatrick D, Quinlan J. et al. Quantification of the coupled motion that occurs with axial rotation and lateral bending of the head-neck complex: an experimental examination. Proc Inst Mech Eng 2007; 221: 913-919.
19 Mullett H, King J, O’Rourke K. et al. Occipito-Cervical fusion: A biomechanical analysis of initial construct stiffness of five implant systems. J Bone Joint Surg 2002; 84-B Supp III 333-334.
20 Shires P, Waldron D, Hedlund C. et al. A biomechanical study of rotational instability in unaltered and surgically altered canine thoracolumbar vertebral motion units. Prog Vet Neurol 1991; 2: 6-14.
21 Takeuchi T, Abumi K, Shono Y. Biomechanical role of the intervertebral disc and costovertebral joint in stability of the thoracic spine. A canine model study. Spine 1999; 24: 1414-1420.
22 Hill T, Lubbe A, Guthrie A. Lumbar spine stability following hemilaminectomy, pediculectomy, and fenestration. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2000; 13: 165-171.
23 Macy N, Les C, Stover S. et al. Effect of disk fenestration on sagittal kinematics of the canine C5-C6 intervertebral space. Vet Surg 1999; 28: 171-179.
24 Smith J, Walmsley R. Experimental incision of the intervertebral disc. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1951; 33: 612-625.
25 Wagner S, Ferguson H, Leipold H. et al. Radiographic and histologic changes after thoracolumbar disc curettage. Vet Surg 1987; 16: 65-69.
26 Arthurs G. Spinal instability resulting from bilateral mini-hemilaminectomy and pediculectomy. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22: 422-426.
27 Smith G, Walter M. Spinal decompressive procedures and dorsal compartment injuries: comparative biomechanical study in canine cadavers. Am J Vet Res 1988; 49: 266-273.
28 Schulz K, Waldron D, Grant J. et al. Biomechanics of the thoracolumbar vertebral column of dogs during lateral bending. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 1228-1232.
29 Panjabi M. The stabilizing system of the spine. Part I. Function, dysfunction, adaptation, and enhancement. J Spinal Disord 1992; 5: 383-389.
30 Panjabi M. The stabilizing system of the spine. Part II. Neutral zone and instability hypothesis. J Spinal Disord 1992; 5: 390-397.
31 Benninger M, Seiler G, Robinson L. et al. Three-dimensional motion pattern of the caudal lumbar and lumbosacral portions of the vertebral column of dogs. Am J Vet Res 2004; 65: 544-551.
32 Benninger M, Seiler G, Robinson L. et al. Effects of anatomic conformation on three-dimensional motion of the caudal lumbar and lumbosacral portions of the vertebral column of dogs. Am J Vet Res 2006; 67: 43-50.
33 Goff L, Stubbs N. Applied animal biomechanics. In: McGowan C, Goff L, Stubbs N. editors. Animal Physiotherapy. Oxford, UK: Blackwell publishing; 2007. pg. 32-55.
34 Voss K, Montavon P. Tension band stabilization of fractures and luxations of the thoracolumbar vertebrae in dogs and cats: 38 cases (1993-2002). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004; 225: 78-83.