Predictors of outcome after dorsal decompressive laminectomy for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs: 69 cases (1987-1997)

Objective-To identify predictive factors of long-term outcome after dorsal decompressive laminectomy for the treatment of degenerative lumbosacral ste nosis (DLSS) in dogs. Design-Retrospective study. Sample Population-69 client-owned dogs. Procedure-Medical records of dogs that had undergone dorsal laminectomy at North Carolina State University and the University of Tennessee between 198 7 and 1997 were reviewed. Dogs with diskospondylitis, traumatic lesions, or neoplasia of the lumbosacral region were excluded. All dogs had evidence o f cauda equina compression on myelography, epidurography, computed tomograp hy, or magnetic resonance imaging, along with subsequent confirmation of th e lesion at surgery. Follow-up was performed by telephone inquiries to the referring veterinarian, the owner, or both, using a detailed questionnaire. Results-The outcome was excellent or good in 54 of 69 (78%) dogs over a mea n follow-up period of 38 +/- 22 months. Five of these 54 dogs had been inco ntinent for a median of 2 weeks prior to surgery. Six of the 15 dogs with a poor outcome had been incontinent for a median of 8 weeks before surgery. A significant correlation was detected between the presence of urinary and fecal incontinence prior to surgery and outcome. When duration of signs was considered, urinary incontinence was the only variable that significantly affected outcome. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Decompressive laminectomy is an effectiv e treatment for DLSS, although dogs with urinary or fecal incontinence have a worse prognosis than dogs that are continent before surgery. Chronic uri nary incontinence is a predictor of poor outcome for dogs with DLSS.