Closed fluoroscopic-assisted spinal arch external skeletal fixation for the stabilization of vertebral column injuries in five dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate outcome after closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of spinal arch external skeletal fixators in dogs with vertebral column injuries.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Dogs with traumatic vertebral column injuries (n=5).


METHODS
Medical records of dogs with vertebral column fractures and/or luxations stabilized with spinal arch external skeletal fixator frames applied using a closed fluoroscopic-assisted technique were reviewed. Owners were contacted to obtain long-term clinical outcomes.


RESULTS
Five dogs (age range, 6-72 months; weight, 10-54 kg) had traumatic vertebral column injuries stabilized with spinal arch external skeletal fixators applied in closed fashion. Injuries involved vertebral segments of the thoracolumbar junction, lumbar spine, and lumbosacral junction. Immediately postoperatively, 4 dogs had anatomic alignment of their vertebral fracture/luxation; 1 dog had 1 mm of vertebral canal height compromise. Time to fixator removal ranged from 65 to 282 days (141+/-87 days). All dogs had regained satisfactory neurologic function by 3 months. At long-term follow-up (range, 282-780 days; mean 445+/-190 days) all dogs were judged to have good to excellent return of function by their owners.


CONCLUSIONS
Successful closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of external skeletal fixators using spinal arches provided satisfactory reduction with few complications in 5 dogs. Return to function was judged to be good to excellent in all dogs at long-term evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of ESF using spinal arches provided satisfactory reduction and effective stabilization of spinal fractures with few complications and should be considered as a treatment approach.
Wheeler
Jason L
JL
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and the Center for Veterinary Sports Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. wheelerjdvm@hotmail.com
Lewis
Daniel D
DD
Cross
Alan R
AR
Sereda
Colin W
CW
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D016267:External Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome