Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intervertebral fusion for the repair of articular cervical fractures in three horses.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Campos Schweitzer, Ariane et al.
- Affiliation:
- Grosbois Equine Clinic · France
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, three horses with different types of neck fractures were treated using a surgical technique called ventral cervical intervertebral fusion, which helps stabilize the spine. The horses included a 9-year-old French sport pony, a 5-year-old Anglo-Arabian, and a 2-year-old French Warmblood mare. After the surgery, X-rays showed that the fractures were healing well, and any balance issues they had before the surgery improved. Overall, all three horses had excellent recovery and functional outcomes after the treatment.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report successful stabilization of three cervical fracture types with articular involvement using different ventral cervical intervertebral fusion constructs. ANIMALS: A 9-year-old French sport pony gelding, a 5-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding and a 2-year-old French Warmblood mare. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. METHODS: Ventral cervical intervertebral fusion was performed in three cervical fracture cases: A vertebral body, a vertebral arch and a unilateral facet joint fracture. Selected implants for this purpose were an 11-hole 4.5/5.0 LCP, a three-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium cervical interbody spacer and plate, and a 3D-printed titanium interbody spacer combined with a 5-hole 4.5/5.0 locking compression plate, respectively. These implants were applied with locking and/or cancellous screws. RESULTS: Postoperative radiographs showed fracture healing associated with a reduction in size of the immobilized facet joints. When present preoperatively, ataxia resolved following surgery. Fracture healing was associated with an excellent postoperative functional outcome in all three reported cases. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should consider ventral cervical intervertebral fusion techniques to manage cervical fractures with articular involvement.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40767149/