• Núria Vizcaíno Revés, Alexander Bürki, Stephen Ferguson, Urs Geissbühler, Christina Stahl, and Frank Forterre.
• Small Animal Clinic, Department of Surgery and Radiology, University of Berne, Switzerland.
• Vet Surg. 2012 Feb 1;41(2):228-34.

ObjectiveTo analyze the biomechanical changes induced by partial lateral corpectomy (PLC) and a combination of PLC and hemilaminectomy in a T13-L3 spinal segment in nonchondrodystrophic dogs.Study DesignIn vitro biomechanical cadaveric study.Sample PopulationT13-L3 spinal segments (n = 10) of nonchondrodystrophic dogs (weighing, 25-38 kg).MethodsA computed tomography (CT) scan of each T13-L3 spinal segment was performed. A loading simulator for flexibility analysis was used to determine the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) during flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. A servohydraulic testing machine was used to determine the changes in stiffness during compression, dorsoventral, and lateral shear. All spines were tested intact, after PLC in the left intervertebral space of L1-L2, and after a combination of PLC and hemilaminectomy.ResultsStatistically significant increases in ROM and NZ (P < .05) were detected during flexion/extension and lateral bending when PLC was performed. A significant increase in ROM (P < .001) was noted during axial rotation and flexion after PLC and hemilaminectomy. Stiffness decreased significantly during compression and dorsoventral shear after each procedure. Decreased stiffness during lateral shear was only significant after a combination of both procedures.ConclusionPLC might lead to some spinal instability; these changes are enhanced when a hemilaminectomy is added.© Copyright 2011 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

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