Realignment of a seventh lumbar vertebral fracture/luxation using a Senn retractor in two puppies

Abstract

Two puppies, each with fractures of the seventh lumbar (L7) vertebra, had their vertebral canals aligned surgically with the aid of a Senn retractor. The retractor was used to provide leverage during vertebral manipulations. Surgical fixation was achieved using Steinmann pins and polymethylmethacrylate. Both puppies were improved immediately after surgery and were clinically normal six months after surgery.

Use of a Four Pin and Methylmethacrylate Fixation in L7 and the Iliac Body to Stabilize Lumbosacral Fracture–Luxations: A Clinical and Anatomic Study

“…Lumbosacral fracture–luxations are most commonly seen in younger dogs as a result of motor vehicle trauma 10,13,14 . It has been suggested that the lumbosacral joint is prone to injury because of the relationship of the mobile caudal lumbar spine to the relatively fixed sacrum 15 .…”

Percutaneous transilial pinning for treatment of seventh lumbar vertebral body fracture

“…Spinal fractures are relatively common in dogs and are usually the result of motor vehicle accidents (1)(2)(3)(4). Fractures of the seventh lumbar (L7) vertebra generally result from direct flexional and compression trauma to the hindquarters.…”

Canine Seventh Lumbar Vertebra Fracture: A Systematic Review

“…We found 466 records in the database searching from 1975 to June 2021. After the removal of duplicates, we screened 432 records, from which we reviewed 28 full-text documents, and finally included eight papers [ 5 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 16 , 19 , 20 ]. Later, we searched records from the reference lists of initially included studies, and found one article that fulfilled our inclusion criteria [ 19 ].…”

“…The first published report of fractures of L7 in the dog was in 1975 [ 7 ], and, in the last 46 years, different techniques have been described to stabilize these fractures [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The clinical presentation and the outcomes related to these techniques have been reported but in small case series.…”