High-Definition Video Telescope-Assisted Ventral Slot Decompression Surgery for Cervical Intervertebral Disc Herniation in 30 Dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of a video telescope operating monitor (VITOM™) for ventral slot decompression and to report its clinical applications using preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) myelography.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series.

ANIMALS: Consecutive dogs presented with cervical intervertebral disc disease requiring surgical decompression (n = 30).

METHODS: Demographic data, preoperative neurological status, localization and lateralization of the compression, total operative time, surgical complications, ventral slot size and orientation, hospitalization time, and postoperative outcome were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative spinal cord area at the compression site and ratios of compressed to normal spinal cord area were calculated by CT myelography.

RESULTS: French Bulldogs were the most common breed of dogs (n = 15; 50%) and neck pain was the most common neurological sign (n = 18; 60%). Postoperative CT myelography confirmed that spinal cord decompression, postoperative spinal cord area, and the ratios of compressed to normal spinal cord area improved significantly compared with preoperative measurements (P = .01). Sinus bleeding occurred in 20% of dogs. The mean ratios (± SD) of ventral slot length and width compared with vertebral body length and width were 0.21 ± 0.08 and 0.31 ± 0.07, respectively. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was 3.0 ± 0.6 days and all dogs showed clinical improvement and an excellent outcome.

CONCLUSION: The VITOM™ ventral slot decompression technique was fast and easy to perform. It allowed a minimally invasive approach with a small ventral slot while improving spinal cord visualization. The results of this study support the use of the VITOM™ technique in spinal veterinary surgery.