title: Distraction-fusion for caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy using an intervertebral cage and locking plates in 14 dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate clinical and radiographic outcome in dogs with caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) treated with an intervertebral fusion cage and locking plates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large breed dogs (n=14) with CCSM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs had single level cervical spine distraction/fusion performed using an intervertebral cage with a hollow center filled with cancellous autograft and 2 ventrally applied locking plates. Outcome was measured using neurologic scores and radiographic interpretation 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surgical procedure was well tolerated in all dogs. Final outcome at 12 months was available in 9 dogs. Five dogs were judged excellent, 1 dog was good, 2 dogs were satisfactory, and 2 dogs were poor because of adjacent segment disease. Four dogs died for reasons unrelated to the procedure. Radiographically, implants remained stable over the entire follow-up period. The disc space continued to fill with an immature pattern of new bone, which showed progressive increase in opacity and quantity. Subsidence of the cage (median 2 m) was detected in 9 dogs at 6 weeks and remained unchanged in those that could be followed further.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distraction-fusion of single level CCSM in dogs with a combination of intervertebral cage and ventral locking plates is clinically effective and results in successful bony fusion.
authors.affiliation: Section of Small Animal Surgery/Neurology, Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. fsteffen@vetclinics.uzh.ch
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: Joe P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000662:veterinary*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000662:veterinary*