Spinal instability resulting from bilateral mini-hemilaminectomy and pediculectomy

Summary A four-year-old male Dachshund was presented with pelvic limb paresis due to inter-vertebral disc extrusion. The spine was surgically explored and decompressed by a bilateral mini-hemilaminectomy and intervertebral disc fenestration at T12–13, and a bilateral pediculectomy of T13. Five days postoperatively, the dog deteriorated because of T13 dorsal laminar subluxation and secondary spinal cord compression. This was surgically investigated and stabilised using bilateral articular facet positional screws and a dorsal spinal plate; the dog subsequently recovered well. Clinically significant spinal instability associated with mini-hemilaminectomy and pediculectomy surgery has not been reported previously.

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