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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22(06): 514-516
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-09-02-0015
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Modification of the ventral approach to the caudal cervical spine by resection of the manubrium in a dog

M. A. Bush
1   The Downs Veterinary Practice, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, UK
2   Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
3   Current address: Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Ringwood, UK
,
M. R. Owen
2   Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
4   Current Address: Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 07 February 2009

Accepted: 25 May 2009

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

A five-year-old neutered female Bassett Hound weighing 29 kg was presented with a two-day history of paraparesis. Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of extruded disc material ventral to the spinal cord, from the C7-T1 intervertebral disc. A ventral slot was performed to decompress the cord. In making the approach to the caudal cervical spine, the cranial aspect of the manubrium of the sternum was resected. This improved the exposure of a region normally difficult to expose via a conventional ventral approach to the cervical spine. The successful performance of the ventral slot procedure was greatly facilitated by this adaptation, which was quick and simple to perform, without any apparent adverse affects to the animal.

Keywords

Caudal cervical spine - surgical approach - manubrium - dog
 

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