title: Segmental spinal fixation of a thoracic vertebral fracture in an adult chimpanzee.
abstract: Accidental trauma associated with an epileptic convulsion in a 10-year-old, male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) resulted in incomplete paraplegia from fracture and subluxation of T4. Dorsal laminectomy and segmental spinal fixation were used in treatment. The segmental spinal fixation consisted of sublaminar wires attached to a contoured 316L stainless steel U-rod. The chimpanzee recovered sufficient function to allow reintroduction into the chimpanzee colony at a zoological park during the 12 months after surgery and continues to do well 24 months after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shores
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Purvis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Boring
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Tyner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000662:veterinary; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*