Surgical Complications Associated with Hemilaminectomy and Intervertebral Disc Fenestration: Prospective Study of 64 Dogs

Hemilaminectomy and intervertebral disc fenestration are commonly used to treat intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE); however, they are associated with surgical complications. Sixty-four dogs were assessed during the intraoperative, immediate postoperative, and late postoperative periods to evaluate complications resulting from these surgical procedures. During this study, 15.62% (n=10) of the dogs presented with complications during at least one of the evaluations. Iatrogenic rhizotomy, access to the spinal canal contralateral to the lesion, and cardiorespiratory arrest were observed intraoperatively. Abdominal wall flaccidity, neurological worsening, hematoma, dehiscence, and superficial wound infections were observed during the immediate postoperative period. Adverse reactions to the surgical thread, scar adhesion, and superficial wound infection were the most frequent complications during the late postoperative period. Dogs that undergo hemilaminectomy and intervertebral disc fenestration because of IVDE may experience complications during the intraoperative, immediate postoperative, and late postoperative periods. However, these complications are often transitory and rarely cause death.