MODIFIED SLANTED SLOT VERSUS STANDARD VENTRAL SLOT FOR THE TREATMENT OF CERVICAL DISC DISEASE
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The surgical approach to the affected disc is most difficult in the cervical region. The `classic` ventral slot has been the method of choice to treat dogs with cervical disc problem over years. This recently published study compares recovery times and complication rates between the `classic` and a modified technique. Which method is the best?
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The objective of this study was to compare the recovery times and complication rates between the standard ventral slot and the modified slanted ventral slot for the treatment of cervical disc disease in dogs with the same neurological grade.
A retrospective analysis of an equal number of cervical disc cases for each procedure was carried out specifically to determine the recovery times and complication rates.
To allow for meaningful comparison only dogs that had the same neurological grade were selected. Outcomes were determined by time to recover and the resolution of symptoms and complications were graded in terms of severity.
Results: The standard ventral slot cases had a higher complication rate than the modified slanted slot cases with one case dying in the postoperative period. However, the modified slanted slot cases on average had a marginally slower recovery time than standard ventral slot cases.
Ventral decompression using the modified slanted slot instead of the standard ventral slot will allow for spinal decompression with potentially less destabilisation, and incur a similar incidence of complications and rate of recovery.
Source: W. McCartney (2007): Comparison of recovery times and complication rates between a modified slanted slot and the standard ventral slot for the treatment of cervical disc disease in 20 dogs. In: Journal of Small Animal Practice 48 (9), 498–501.
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