FEASIBILITY OF SACRAL DORSAL RHIZOTOMY IN SMALL DOGS - A PROCEDURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR TREATMENT OF URINARY-TRACT COMPLICATIONS IN PARALYZEDDOGS

The feasibility of performing a sacral dorsal rhizotomy without specia lized equipment and an examination of the acute urodynamic effects of this procedure were evaluated in five normal dogs averaging 10 kg body weight. Sacral dorsal rhizotomies eliminate the afferent reflex arcs r esponsible for urinary tract complications in paraplegic humans. The p rocedure is performed to manage urinary incontinence in human parapleg ic and cerebral palsy patients. It increases bladder capacity, minimiz es urinary tract infections, preserves the upper urinary tract and sig nificantly reduces or eliminates reflex incontinence episodes. The res ults of this study suggest that sacral dorsal rhizotomies can be perfo rmed on dogs similar in size to the typical paralyzed dog without the use of specialized equipment. This is possible because of consistent a natomic arrangements of the sacral nerve roots, allowing the nerve roo ts to be accurately identified by visualization. Reflex micturition wa s abolished by sacral dorsal rhizotomy in all dogs in this study. Pre- and post-rhizotomy urethral pressure profiles were evaluated and rais ed some concerns regarding post-rhizotomy stress incontinence. Clinica l trials are necessary to evaluate post-rhizotomy stress incontinence in paralyzed dogs.