Long-Term Follow-Up of Dogs and Cats after Stabilization of Thoracolumbar Instability Using 2-0 UniLock Implants

Abstract

Traumatic vertebral fracture or luxation often results in spinal instability requiring surgical stabilization. This study describes the long-term outcome of spinal stabilization using a unilateral 5-hole 2-0 UniLock implant in eight dogs and two cats with trauma-induced thoracolumbar vertebral luxation/subluxation and presumed instability, as assessed by a combination of preoperative radiographs and MRI using a 3-compartment method. The UniLock plate was secured with four monocortical locking screws in adjacent vertebral bodies. Additional pins and facet screws were used in several patients. Postoperative radiographs and MRI studies showed restoration of the main spinal axis in all patients and satisfactory implantation of the screws in the vertebral bodies, with no intrusion in the vertebral canal or in the adjacent intervertebral disc spaces. Neurological status improved in nine patients six weeks postoperatively. Partial implant failure was detected in three patients with no long-term consequences. After 12 months, seven patients reached full recovery with no neurological deficit, two patients were euthanized (including one owing to an unrelated condition), and one remained paraparetic. The results of this study demonstrate that using a 2-0 UniLock implant to stabilize the thoracolumbar spine results in satisfactory long-term recovery in most dogs and cats with traumatic spinal luxation/subluxation and presumed instability. Complications may occur but do not require revision surgery and do not affect clinical outcomes.

Explant of a Chronic Atlantoaxial Implant Infection in a Dog

“…More chronic complications have been described with implants in the thoracolumbar spine. Commonly reported minor complications include partial screw loosening or breakage without worsening of the patient's neurologic status or evidence of implant failure [ 9 , 10 ]. Major complications described included pain and swelling in the region of the implant with or without exposure of a part of the implant.…”

Canis lupus familiaris kaulinio audinio mechaninių savybių ir lūžio rizikos modeliavimas osteoporozės kontekste

“…Chirurginis gydymas. Taikant pripažintus lūžių atstatymo principus, sužalota stuburo dalis stabilizuojama operacijos metu (Letesson et al, 2022). Naudojamos Kiršnerio vielos, titaninės plokštelės ir varžtai, išoriniai fiksatoriai (Sturges et al, 2016), kaiščių ir sterilaus cemento polimerų deriniai gali būti naudojami vieni arba kartu su išorine fiksacija (Turner et al, 2003), papildomai naudojant ir gipsą ar įtvarą (Jeffery, 2010).…”