title: Percutaneous transilial pinning for treatment of seventh lumbar vertebral body fracture. A retrospective analysis of 17 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate outcomes after percutaneous application of transilial pinning in dogs with seventh lumbar vertebral body fracture with concurrent lumbosacral luxation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the medical records of dogs with seventh lumbar vertebral body fracture stabilized with percutaneous transilial pinning that were treated at our hospital between January 2000 and March 2014. Radiographic measurements were used for comparing craniocaudal and ventrodorsal displacement pre- and postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen dogs met the inclusion criteria. The neurological status of the majority of treated dogs improved quickly, with immediate pain reduction after surgery. Implants were well tolerated throughout the application period and were removed at a mean time of 54.4 ± 9.2 days. One dog experienced a major complication (implant failure) and required surgical revision a week after the initial procedure. Minor complications included pin-tract inflammation, signs of back pain lasting five weeks and acute lameness after implant removal. Postoperative radiographic measurements showed shortening of the vertebral body and residual dorsoventral dislocation. Otherwise, functional recovery was good (5 of 17 dogs) to excellent (10 of 17 dogs) in the majority of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of two percutaneous transilial pins can be considered as treatment for the management of seventh lumbar fracture-luxation in dogs. Our modified stabilization technique is relatively easy to perform; less invasive on the soft tissues; and uses implants that are versatile, modifiable, and easily removable.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Dona
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Della Valle
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lamagna
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balestriere
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murino
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Santangelo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lamagna
authors.affiliation: Gerardo Fatone, DVM, PhD, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, Via Federico Delpino, 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy, Phone: +39 0812536041, Fax: +39 0812536021, E-mail: fatone@unina.it.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fatone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Spine; dog; fracture; lumbar; luxation