Thomovsky Stephanie A, Packer Rebecca A, Lambrechts Nicolaas E, Moore George E
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2026, USA.
Vet Surg. 2012 Nov;41(8):1011-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2012.01060.x. Epub 2012 Oct 30.
Describe the use and feasibility of a novel vacuum-assisted tissue resection device (VRD) for canine intervertebral disc fenestration, and compare the effectiveness of manual fenestration to the VRD.
Randomized prospective study.
Canine cadavers (n = 15).
A cadaveric lumbar spine study was performed to compare the use of manual fenestration to a novel VRD for intervertebral disc fenestration. Both fenestration groups were compared to a control group. Effectiveness of fenestration was assessed by calculating a ratio of remaining nuclear weight postfenestration to total nuclear volume. Fenestrated discs with lower ratios were indicative of greater removal of nucleus pulposus.
There was a statistically significant reduction in mean ratio (±SD) of remaining nuclear weight to volume with both fenestration groups compared to controls (0.39 ± 0.07; P < .001). There was an improved ratio using the VRD (0.23 ± 0.09) compared to manual fenestration (0.30 ± 0.10); this was not statistically significant (P = .069). It was technically difficult to fenestrate the disc spaces at L5-L6 and L6-L7 because of location and anatomy, resulting in a statistically significant increase in the median ratio of nuclear weight-to-volume ratios in both manual and VRD fenestration groups when compared to the more cranial L4-L5 disc spaces, 0.32 ± 0.08, and 0.35 ± 0.08 versus 0.25 ± 0.13 at L4-L5 (P = .026 and P = .004, respectively).
The VRD is a feasible instrument for canine intervertebral disc fenestration. It is at least as effective as manual fenestration, and provides additional safety features.
