Spinal Decompression

Certain diseases that affect the spinal cord or vertebral column can result in impingement of nervous tissue. This impingement, or compression, can result in pain and weakness. Advanced imaging (usually MRI) is required to determine the location of compressive lesions and their cause. For example, compression of a nerve root can be caused by disk herniation, tumor, cystic structures, hemorrhage, bone fragments, focal pus accumulation, and other diseases. In some instances, decompressive procedures are combined with vertebral stabilization.

Hemilaminectomy is the most common spinal decompressive surgery at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, with over 200 performed yearly. During hemilaminectomy, a midline incision is made over the vertebral column and surrounding muscle is retracted. A pneumatic bur is used to remove the lamina (top), articular process (joint), and pedicle (side) of the spine over adjoining vertebrae. This procedure allows for excellent access to the bottom and side of the spinal cord as well as nerve root. Hemilaminectomy is usually performed in either the thoracic or lumbar vertebral column.

Like hemilaminectomy, Dorsal Laminectomy involves a midline skin incision and retraction of muscle that surrounds the vertebral column. Removal of the entire lamina (top) and part of the articular process is performed to gain access to the dorsal (top) spinal cord. Dorsal laminectomy is often utilized to decompress lumbar nerve roots and occasionally to relieve narrowing of the vertebral canal seen with congenital abnormalities or spondylomyelopathy (wobbler's disease).

Ventral Slot Surgeries are commonly performed at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine to gain access to the bottom of the vertebral canal and spinal cord within the neck. A midline incision is made on the bottom of the neck and soft tissues surrounding the vertebrae are retracted. Next muscles directly overlying the bottom of the vertebrae are freed. A pneumatic bur is used to make a narrow window (slot) between two vertebrae over a disk space.

Pediculectomy creates a very narrow window to the spinal canal through removal of just one side of the vertebral column over adjoining vertebrae. This procedure may be utilized in combination with other decompressive interventions or when only access to the bottom of the spinal cord is needed.

During foraminotomy the exit point of a spinal nerve or nerve root is surgically widened from either within the vertebral canal or outside the canal. This procedure is usually combined with other interventions, such as dorsal laminectomy or vertebral column stabilization.