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Vertebral distraction‐fusion for cervical spondylopathy using a screw and double washer technique
Author(s) -
McKee W. M.,
Lavelle R. B.,
Richardson J. L.,
Mason T. A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1990.tb00649.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiography , spinal canal , cervical vertebrae , myelography , spondylolysis , surgery , spondylolisthesis , spinal cord , bony fusion , anatomy , lumbar , psychiatry
A technique using two interbody washers and a transvertebral screw was utilised to distract the cervical vertebrae and so decompress the spinal cord in 17 dobermann pinschers and three great danes with cervical spondylopathy. Neurological dysfunction was graded (1 to 5) according to the degree of hindlimb ataxia. Myelography showed evidence of spinal cord compression at C6‐7 in all dogs and at C5‐6 in six dogs. Twenty‐three compressive lesions were reduced when traction was applied to the cervical spine. Seventeen dogs improved following surgery and of these 10 improved by two or more grades. Follow‐up radiographic studies indicated resorption of end‐plate bone and eventual fusion of the vertebral bodies. Displacement of the screw into the vertebral canal, remodelling of the vertebral canal, fracture of C6 ventral spinous process and breakage of the screw were implant associated complications. The distraction‐fusion technique with modifications appears to be an effective procedure for the management of cervical spondylopathy in dogs in which the compressive lesion is soft tissue in nature.