Dorsal Laminectomy

After cervical dorsal laminectomy, postoperative worsening of neurologic status has been reported in up to 70% of dogs with cervical spondylopathy and in 36% of dogs with dural masses. Seroma is one of the complications of dorsal laminectomy. Most seromas are managed conservatively initially. Strict rest is recommended to limit motion of tissues adjacent to the surgical site. The treatment of patients with postoperative worsening of neurologic signs caused by iatrogenic trauma is limited to medical management: NSAIDs or steroids may help decrease inflammation; pain management; and supportive care. Most of the knowledge regarding instability after dorsal laminectomy derives from biomechanical testing of cadaver specimen rather than from in vivo data. Based on this evidence, dorsal laminectomies produce more vertebral instability than hemilaminectomies, and preserving the integrity of articular facets plays a crucial role in minimizing postoperative instability.