Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs with neck instability treated by pins and cement surgery outcomes
By Aikawa, Takeshi et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2013·Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Modified ventral stabilization using positively threaded profile pins and polymethylmethacrylate for atlantoaxial instability in 49 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 49 dogs with a serious neck condition called atlantoaxial instability (AAI) underwent a special surgery to stabilize their vertebrae using pins and a type of plastic. Most of the dogs showed significant improvement in their ability to walk and move after the surgery, with 46 out of 47 dogs recovering well over a follow-up period of nearly 2.5 years. While some dogs experienced minor issues with the pins breaking, it did not affect their recovery or cause further problems. Overall, the surgery was successful for the majority of the dogs, although one dog did not regain the ability to walk.
People also search for: dog neck surgery recovery · atlantoaxial instability treatment dogs · dog surgery complications
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe diagnostic findings, complications, and long-term outcome of dogs with atlantoaxial instability (AAI) that had modified ventral stabilization with positively threaded profile pins and polymethylmethacrylate by 1 surgeon and to evaluate the potential prognostic indicators. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 49) with AAI. METHODS: Medical records (2000-2010) of dogs with AAI that had modified ventral stabilization were reviewed. Data on pre- and postoperative neurologic status, diagnostic findings, and outcomes were retrieved. Age, neurologic grade, duration of clinical abnormalities, dens abnormalities, and MRI findings were evaluated as the potential predictors for recovery. Age and cancellous bone grafting were evaluated as the potential predictors of postoperative pin breakage. RESULTS: Two dogs died during the perioperative period. In 47 dogs with follow up (median: 29 months; range, 4-110 months), 46 dogs (94%) improved neurologically after surgery, but 1 dog did not become ambulatory. There were no long term complications that resulted in serious neurologic deterioration or that required additional surgery. Partial pin breakage (1-5 pins) occurred in 16 dogs at 1-27.5 months (median, 5 months) without neurologic deterioration. Only the nonambulatory preoperative grade was significantly (P = .002) associated with non/incomplete recovery compared with ambulatory dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate stabilization of the vertebrae and improved neurologic status were achieved in most dogs with AAI using a modified ventral stabilization technique with positively threaded profile pins and polymethylmethacrylate.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23662667/