Comparison of harmonic blade versus traditional approach in canine patients undergoing spinal decompressive surgery for naturally occurring thoracolumbar disk extrusion
Loading...
Date
Authors
Hettlich, Bianca F.
Cook, Laurie
London, Cheryl
Fosgate, Geoffrey Theodore
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To assess feasibility of the harmonic Osteovue blade (HOB) for use in the soft tissue
approach for dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy and to compare outcomes between dogs
undergoing HOB or traditional approach (TRAD).
METHODS
A prospective randomized clinical trial was performed using 20 client-owned dogs with thoracolumbar
intervertebral disk extrusion requiring hemilaminectomy. Dogs were randomly
assigned to HOB or TRAD. Neurologic function and pain scores were assessed pre-operatively.
Intraoperative blood loss and surgical approach time as well as postoperative pain
and wound healing scores were recorded. Additionally, neurologic recovery and owner perceived
quality of life were recorded at day 10 and 30 postoperative.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in sex distribution, weight, age, preoperative neurological
grade and pain score, and perioperative outcome measures between groups. Intraoperative
total blood loss was minimal for HOB and TRAD (median: 0 ml (range 0±9) and 2.2
ml (range 0±6.8), respectively; p = 0.165) and approach times were similar (median: 7 min
(range 5±12) and 8 min (range 5±13), respectively; p = 0.315). While changes in wound healing scores were similar, changes in postoperative pain scores and neurological function
were significantly improved in the HOB compared to the TRAD group. Postoperative complications
in the HOB group consisted of automutilation of part of the incision and development
of a small soft, non-painful subcutaneous swelling in 1 dog each.
CONCLUSIONS
The HOB is a safe and effective tool for the soft tissue approach for routine spinal surgery in
dogs and is associated with decreased pain and increased neurological function postsurgery.
Description
S1 File. Wound assessment form. Document to record various aspects of wound related factors
for individual patients.
S2 File. Pain assessment form. Document to record various aspects of pain related factors for individual patients.
S1 Fig. Photographs of incisions of 1 TRAD and HOB dog. Examples of incision photographs of one dog with TRAD and one with HOB approach on day of surgery and 1, 2, and 3 days postoperatively.
S1 Data. Excel study data. Dataset of evaluated factors of all patients, including patient and surgery factors, neurologic grading, pain questionnaire and visual analog scores, incision healing scores, owner perceived neuro status and function, and quality of life factors.
S2 File. Pain assessment form. Document to record various aspects of pain related factors for individual patients.
S1 Fig. Photographs of incisions of 1 TRAD and HOB dog. Examples of incision photographs of one dog with TRAD and one with HOB approach on day of surgery and 1, 2, and 3 days postoperatively.
S1 Data. Excel study data. Dataset of evaluated factors of all patients, including patient and surgery factors, neurologic grading, pain questionnaire and visual analog scores, incision healing scores, owner perceived neuro status and function, and quality of life factors.
Keywords
Soft tissue, Dogs, Harmonic Osteovue blade (HOB), Traditional approach (TRAD), Spinal decompressive surgery, Thoracolumbar disk extrusion
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Hettlich BF, Cook L, London C, Fosgate
GT (2017) Comparison of harmonic blade versus
traditional approach in canine patients undergoing
spinal decompressive surgery for naturally
occurring thoracolumbar disk extrusion. PLoS ONE
12(3): e0172822. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172822