Gomes et al: Post‐surgical outcome and recurrence rates in thoracolumbar arachnoid diverticula undergoing durotomy alone or alongside a modified technique of subdural shunt-placement in dogs
Veterinary Surgery 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

• Modified subdural shunt (SDS) placement was adapted from prior techniques using a hemilaminectomy approach and no suturing of the dura or shunt.
• Dogs receiving SDS had significantly better long-term outcomes (85.7% improved) compared to those with durotomy alone (41.7%).
• Recurrence rate was lower in the SDS group (14.3%) than control (41.7%), though not statistically significant.
• Most recurrences occurred in Pugs (5/7), suggesting a breed predisposition.
• Shunt size was limited to 25% of spinal cord diameter, typically 3–3.5 Fr.
• CSF flow through the shunt was confirmed intraoperatively, supporting the role of SDS in maintaining flow and possibly preventing recurrence.
• Immediate postoperative outcomes were not different between groups (≈42% deteriorated), but long-term recovery was better with SDS.
• Steroid use pre-surgery did not correlate with improved outcome; fewer SDS dogs received steroids pre-op.