title: Comparison of the biomechanical properties of a ventral cervical intervertebral anchored fusion device with locking plate fixation applied to cadaveric canine cervical spines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate fixation properties of a new intervertebral anchored fusion device and compare these with ventral locking plate fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro biomechanical evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric canine C4-C7 cervical spines (n = 9).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cervical spines were nondestructively loaded with pure moments in a nonconstraining testing apparatus to induce flexion/extension while angular motion was measured. Range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) were calculated for (1) intact specimens, (2) specimens after discectomy and fixation with a purpose-built intervertebral fusion cage with integrated ventral fixation, and (3) after removal of the device and fixation with a ventral locking plate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both fixation techniques resulted in a decrease in ROM and NZ (P < .001) compared with the intact segments. There were no significant differences between the anchored spacer and locking plate fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An anchored spacer appears to provide similar biomechanical stability to that of locking plate fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schöllhorn
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bürki
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forterre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*