Treatment of traumatic thoracal instability with pedicle screw-rod fixation system in a dog

Abstract

In this paper, clinical and neurological results of stabilization of a thoracic fracture and luxation with a pedicle screw-rod fixation system (PSRFS) in a dog have been reported. A physical and neurological examination revealed non-ambulatory paraparasis, upper motor neuron lesions of hind limbs which localized the lesion to thoracolumbal vertebra. On the radiographic survey; lateral views of the thoracolumbal region revealed luxation between Thoracal 11-12 (Th11-12) and fracture of end plate of Th11. After laminectomy and discectomy, two Ø 3.5 mm polyaxial pedicle screws were placed to each side of Th11-12 corpus and connected with a rod. The dog was able to stand without any support and was ambulatory with assistance after 6 weeks postoperatively. Full recovery was seen and normal alignment of the luxated vertebrae and fusion was seen on radiographic views on postoperative 6th month. As a conclusion PSRFS can be successfully used in fractures/luxations of vertebras in large breed dogs. The main disadvantages of the PSRFS are higher cost, limited screw dimensions and variability of pedicle safe corridors.

Keywords

• dog
• pedicle screw
• vertebral fracture