Ventral Slot Surgery to Manage Cervical Intervertebral Disc Disease in Three Cats

Abstract

Objective This case series describes the clinical presentation, management and outcome of three cats diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc disease that underwent decompressive ventral slot surgery. Methods This is a retrospective case series evaluating client-owned cats undergoing a ventral slot surgical procedure to manage cervical intervertebral disc disease (n = 3). Results A routine ventral slot surgery was performed in each case without complication, resulting in postoperative neurological improvement in all three cases. Clinical Significance Ventral slot surgery can be used to achieve effective cervical spinal cord decompression with a good long-term outcome in the management of feline cervical intervertebral disc herniation. To avoid creating an excessively wide slot with the potential for postoperative complications including vertebral sinus haemorrhage, vertebral instability or ventral slot collapse, careful surgical planning was performed with preoperative measurement of the desired maximum slot dimensions.