Biportal endoscopy shows promise for canine L7–S1 foraminotomy

Minimally invasive spine work is moving deeper into canine neurosurgery. A new Veterinary Surgery paper published online March 12, 2026, describes biportal endoscopic foraminotomy of the L7–S1 neuroforamen in dogs and compares it with conventional open dorsolateral foraminotomy in cadaver specimens, plus reports the first clinical case. In the study, a 3.0 mm 30° arthroscope-based approach delivered better visualization than both open surgery and a needle arthroscope technique, and produced greater foraminal enlargement, while no iatrogenic nerve root damage was observed in any group. The authors, from the University of Zurich and collaborators in Switzerland, concluded the arthroscope-based biportal technique appears safe and effective, at least in this early ex vivo and single-case experience. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is another sign that unilateral biportal endoscopy is expanding from concept to multiple spinal applications in dogs. The immediate appeal is familiar: better magnified visualization, less soft tissue disruption, and potentially less postoperative pain and faster recovery than open exposure. But the evidence base is still early. This study used 18 cadaveric lumbosacral specimens and one client-owned dog, so the findings are best read as proof of technical feasibility rather than practice-changing outcomes data. That said, the report fits with a broader recent run of canine UBE studies in the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and lumbosacral region, suggesting the field is rapidly building a minimally invasive toolkit for selected spinal decompressions. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

What to watch: The next step is larger clinical series that measure neurologic outcomes, complications, recurrence, operative learning curve, and whether the technique’s cadaveric advantages hold up in dogs with naturally occurring lumbosacral foraminal stenosis. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)