title: Internal Fixation of Cervical Fractures in Three Horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the surgical treatment outcome of cervical fractures in 3 horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three client-owned horses with cervical vertebral fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three horses were refered for neck stiffness, pain, and ataxia after a cervical trauma because of a fall. Radiographic examination showed an oblique displaced fracture of the caudal aspect of the body of the second cervical vertebra (C2) in horse 1, an oblique displaced fracture of the caudal aspect of C4 involving the disc between C4 and C5 in horse 2, and a displaced transverse fracture of the body of the axis (C2) extending to the lateral arches and involving the vertebral canal in horse 3. In horse 1, the fracture was reduced and stabilized using a 14-hole narrow DCP plate, applied ventrally, and fixed with cancellous screws. A cervical fusion was performed. In horses 2 and 3, fracture fixation was performed using a 5-hole narrow LCP and 5 mm locking screws.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All horses showed improvement and returned to full activity. The fracture healed in all horses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internal fixation of cervical fracture in these horses was associated with minimal complications, and was associated with healing and a highly functional outcome in all horses. The LCP was preferred and would be recommended for ventral stabilization of selected cases of vertebral fractures.
authors.affiliation: Clinique équine de Grosbois, Domaine de Grosbois.
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossignol
authors.affiliation: Clinique équine de Grosbois, Domaine de Grosbois.|Clinique équine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Boissy Saint Léger, Ile de France, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brandenberger
authors.affiliation: Clinique équine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Boissy Saint Léger, Ile de France, France.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mespoulhes-Rivière
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing