title: Pedicle screw-rod fixation of the canine lumbosacral junction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess pedicle screw-rod fixation (PSRF) of the canine lumbosacral junction (LSJ) ex vivo and in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex vivo cadaver study and in vivo pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six canine cadaveric lumbosacral spinal specimens and 3 Greyhound dogs diagnosed with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex vivo study: PSRF of the LSJ was performed in 6 spinal specimens using guidelines and was evaluated by radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In vivo study: 3 Greyhounds diagnosed with DLSS had dorsal laminectomy and partial discectomy combined with PSRF of the LSJ. Curettage of the endplates with insertion of an autologous cancellous bone graft was performed to promote spinal fusion. During 18-month follow-up, dogs were monitored by clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, and force plate analysis. Dogs were euthanatized for reasons unrelated to PSRF or their lumbosacral disease, and postmortem imaging and histopathologic investigations of the LSJ were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ex vivo study: Sixteen of 24 inserted screws had an acceptable placement. In vivo study: Ten of 12 inserted screws had acceptable placement. Clinical signs of ``lower'' back pain resolved at 4 weeks after surgery. Diagnostic imaging and histopathology showed no bony spinal fusion of the LSJ. Force plate analysis revealed a trend toward improved pelvic limb function relative to preoperative function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PSRF of the LSJ of large breed dogs is technically possible. Improvements to the surgical technique to induce spinal fusion and assessment in a larger sample size are required before it can be recommended.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. L.A.Smolders@uu.nl
authors: Lucas A
authors: LA
authors: Smolders
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Voorhout
authors: Renée
authors: R
authors: van de Ven
authors: Niklas
authors: N
authors: Bergknut
authors: Guy C M
authors: GC
authors: Grinwis
authors: Herman A W
authors: HA
authors: Hazewinkel
authors: Björn P
authors: BP
authors: Meij
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*