2024/03/31 by Daniel Low, Scott Rutherford · 2 citations
paper · doi:10.1111/vsu.14089
crossref issued 2024/03/31 · crossref published 2024/03/31 · crossref published-online 2024/03/31 · crossref created 2024/04/01 · crossref published-print 2024/11/01 · crossref deposited 2024/11/13 · crossref indexed 2026/07/31
Abstract Objective To investigate if weekend surgery is associated with poorer outcomes in dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) undergoing decompressive thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Study design Retrospective observational cohort study. Sample population A total of 460 consecutive cases were reviewed, with 401 dogs undergoing weekday surgery (Cohort WD), and 59 dogs undergoing weekend surgery (Cohort WE). Methods Medical records of a surgical referral center in the UK were reviewed. Preoperative patient demographic and clinical data, and postoperative outcome data were collected with a minimum 28‐day follow‐up period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model the odds of a negative outcome. Results Cohort WE had a higher preoperative proportion of nonambulatory dogs ( p = .0115) but there were no significant differences between the nonambulatory ( p = .3762) and deep‐pain negative subgroups ( p = .6199). Cohort WE had a higher risk of not recovering ambulation compared to Cohort WD [79.2% vs. 91.6% recovery; adjusted OR 3.010 (95% CI: 1.259–7.190); p = .0132] and had a higher risk of postoperative morbidity [32.2% vs. 17.2%; adjusted OR 2.015 (95% CI: 1.089–3.729); p = .0257]. There were no significant differences in other outcome measures between cohorts. Conclusion Weekend surgery in canine decompressive thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy may be associated with poorer patient outcomes, specifically higher postoperative morbidity and a poorer rate of recovery of ambulation. Clinical significance This study demonstrates a weekend effect in veterinary surgery, which may be important in surgical decision‐making in acute thoracolumbar IVDE. Further scrutiny of the patient's journey through the veterinary healthcare system is warranted.