Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Minimally invasive spinal fracture repair in dogs and cats
By Bitterli, Thomas et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2022·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Minimal Invasive Fluoroscopic Percutaneous Lateral Stabilization of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fractures and Luxations Using Unilateral Uniplanar External Skeletal Fixators in Dogs and Cats.
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog with a spinal fracture was treated using a minimally invasive technique involving an external skeletal fixator (ESF) to stabilize the spine. This method involved placing pins into the vertebrae to support the injured area. After the surgery, many pets showed improvement in their neurological function, with 12 animals recovering well, while a few experienced minor complications like redness or pin loosening. Overall, the procedure was successful and had minimal major complications, helping pets regain their mobility and comfort.
People also search for: dog spinal fracture treatment · minimally invasive spine surgery for dogs · external skeletal fixator for pets
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to describe minimally invasive spinal stabilization using a unilateral uniplanar external skeletal fixator (ESF, type 1a) with polymethylmethacrylate, and to review short- and long-term outcomes and complications in a clinical case series. STUDY DESIGN:  Medical records from animals affected by spinal fracture luxation were reviewed. The data included breed, age, gender, body weight, aetiology, preoperative and postoperative neurological state, radiographic findings, surgical treatment, pin size, number of pins and stabilized vertebrae, intra- and postoperative complications and neurological state at re-examinations. RESULTS:  Thirty-two animals were identified; three were treated conservatively, 19 surgically and 10 were euthanatized. In eight dogs and six cats, the injured spinal column was treated with a laterally applied percutaneous type 1a ESF under fluoroscopic guidance. Positive profile end-threaded pins inserted were from 1.6/1.9 to 3.5/4.3 mm in dogs and 1.6/1.9 to 2/2.3 mm in cats and were placed into two to five vertebral bodies. At the re-examinations, the neurological status had improved in 12 animals, deteriorated in one, and was unchanged in another one. In eight cases, no complications were detected. The most common complications included erythema, exudation and pin loosening. CONCLUSION:  The present work shows that type 1a ESF can be successfully and minimally invasively applied to fractures and luxations of the spine in dogs and cats with minimal major complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34634823/