Download PDF
CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2024; 07(02): e108-e113
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1789252
Clinical Communication

Thoracic and Lumbar Spinal Fractures and Luxations in 26 Dogs and 2 Cats—Stabilization by String of Pearls Locking Plates

Mei-Jyun Ciou 
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
,
Richard Jerram
2   Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
Jason Syrcle
3   Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
,
Andrew S. Levien
4   Veterinary Specialists of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Dipak Kumar Sahoo
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
,
Karl Kraus
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the use of String of Pearls (SOP) locking plates in thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats.

Study design Retrospective case series study.

Methods Clinical records of dogs and cats with thoracic and lumbar fractures treated in four veterinary surgical facilities were reviewed.

Results A total of 26 dogs and 2 cats were included. Median weight of dogs at surgery was 12.1 kg (range: 2.7–37.2 kg) and the median weight of cats was 6.0 kg (range: 3.0–8.9 kg). Deep pain perception was negative in 25% (7/28) of animals at presentation, and 85.7% (6/7) regained deep pain sensation at discharge. Neurological status at discharge (p < 0.05) was significantly improved compared to neurological status at presentation. Complications were observed in 28.6% (8/28) of cases. Catastrophic and major complication rates were both 3.6% (1/28).

Conclusion In the reported cohort of 28 dogs and cats, SOP locking plates successfully stabilized traumatic thoracic and lumbar fractures or luxations, and the rate of complications was similar to those reported using other fixation methods.

Keywords

String of Pearls plates - spinal fractures - luxations - dogs - cats

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 09 February 2024

Accepted: 01 August 2024

Article published online:
26 August 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

  • References

  • 1 Turner WD. Fractures and fracture-luxations of the lumbar spine: a retrospective study in the dog. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1987; 23: 459-464
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Selcer RR, Bubb WJ, Walker TL. Management of vertebral column fractures in dogs and cats: 211 cases (1977-1985). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991; 198 (11) 1965-1968
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Jeffery ND. Vertebral fracture and luxation in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2010; 40 (05) 809-828
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Matthiesen DT. Thoracolumbar spinal fractures/luxations: surgical management. Comp Cont Ed Sm Anim Pract 1983; 5: 867-878
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Orgonikova I, Brocal J, Cherubini GB, Palus V. Vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats, part 1: evaluation of diagnosis and prognosis. Companion Anim 2021; 26 (02) 1-10
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Weh M, Kraus KH. Spinal fractures and luxations. In: Tobias KM, Johnston SA. eds. Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2017: 487-503
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Sharp NJH, Wheeler SJ. Trauma. In: Sharp NJH, Wheeler SJ. eds. Small Animal Spinal Disorders Diagnosis and Surgery. 2nd ed. London, UK: Elsevier Mosby; 2005: 281-318
    Google Scholar
  • 8 LeCouteur RA, Sturgess B. Spinal fractures and luxations. In: Slatter D. ed. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia PA: Elsevier Science; 2003: 1244-1260
    Google Scholar
  • 9 Walker TM, Pierce WA, Welch RD. External fixation of the lumbar spine in a canine model. Vet Surg 2002; 31 (02) 181-188
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Tammaro WJ, Early PJ, Bergman R, Petrovsky BL, Kraus KH. Diagnostic traction and dorsal locking plate stabilization of a fifth and sixth thoracic vertebral fracture/luxation in a golden retriever: case report. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9: 1011983
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Klatzkow S, Johnson MD, James M, Carrera-Justiz S. Ventral stabilization of a T2–T3 vertebral luxation via median sternotomy in a dog. Case Rep Vet Med 2018; 2018: 9152394
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Letesson J, Goin B, Trouillet JL, Barthez P. Long-term follow-up of dogs and cats after stabilization of thoracolumbar instability using 2-0 UniLock implants. Vet Med Int 2022; 2022: 5112274
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Segal U, Bar H, Shani J. Repair of lumbosacral fracture-luxation with bilateral twisted string-of-pearls locking plates. J Small Anim Pract 2018; 59: 288-293
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Solano MA, Fitzpatrick N, Bertran J. Cervical distraction-stabilization using an intervertebral spacer screw and string-of-pearl (SOP) plates in 16 dogs with disc-associated wobbler syndrome. Vet Surg 2015; 44 (05) 627-641
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Schmitt EM, Early P, Bergman R. et al. Computed tomography evaluation of proposed implant corridors in canine thoracic vertebrae. Vet Surg 2021; 50 (07) 1427-1433
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Mullins RA, Espinel Ruperéz J, Bleedorn J. et al. Accuracy of pin placement in the canine thoracolumbar spine using a free-hand probing technique versus 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides: an ex-vivo study. Vet Surg 2023; 52 (05) 648-660
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Cook JL, Evans R, Conzemius MG. et al. Proposed definitions and criteria for reporting time frame, outcome, and complications for clinical orthopedic studies in veterinary medicine. Vet Surg 2010; 39 (08) 905-908
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Bruce CW, Brisson BA, Gyselinck K. Spinal fracture and luxation in dogs and cats: a retrospective evaluation of 95 cases. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21 (03) 280-284
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Hettlich BF. Spinal fractures and luxations. In: Barnhart MD, Maritato KC. eds. Locking Plate in Veterinary Orthopedics. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2019: 155-163
    Google Scholar
  • 20 Nel JJ, Kat CJ, Coetzee GL, van Staden PJ. Biomechanical comparison between pins and polymethylmethacrylate and the SOP locking plate system to stabilize canine lumbosacral fracture-luxation in flexion and extension. Vet Surg 2017; 46 (06) 789-796
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Sturges BK, Kapatkin AS, Garcia TC. et al. Biomechanical comparison of locking compression plate versus positive profile pins and polymethylmethacrylate for stabilization of the canine lumbar vertebrae. Vet Surg 2016; 45 (03) 309-318
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Early PJ, Maller A, Kraus KH. Stiffness comparisons of SOP interlocking plate configurations in 3D printed canine lumbosacral vertebrae. Vet Sci Res. 2017; 2 (04) 000144
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Olby N, Levine J, Harris T, Muñana K, Skeen T, Sharp N. Long-term functional outcome of dogs with severe injuries of the thoracolumbar spinal cord: 87 cases (1996-2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003; 222 (06) 762-769
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Bull C, Fehr M, Tipold A. Bandscheibenvorfälle beim hund: retrospektive studie über den klinischen verlauf von 238 hunden (2003–2004). Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2008; 121 (01) 10-21
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Shaw TA, De Risio L, Laws EJ, Rose JH, Harcourt-Brown TR, Granger N. Prognostic factors associated with recovery of ambulation and urinary continence in dogs with acute lumbosacral spinal cord injury. J Vet Intern Med 2017; 31 (03) 825-831
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Castel A, Olby NJ, Mariani CL, Muñana KR, Early PJ. Clinical characteristics of dogs with progressive myelomalacia following acute intervertebral disc extrusion. J Vet Intern Med 2017; 31 (06) 1782-1789
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Street JT, Lenehan BJ, DiPaola CP. et al. Morbidity and mortality of major adult spinal surgery. A prospective cohort analysis of 942 consecutive patients. Spine J 2012; 12 (01) 22-34
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Farré Mariné A, De Risio L, Mascort J. et al. Transthoracic vertebral distraction and stabilization in 10 dogs with congenital thoracic vertebral malformations. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2021; 34 (05) 367-374
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Sanders SG, Bagley RS, Silver GM, Moore M, Tucker RL. Outcomes and complications associated with ventral screws, pins, and polymethyl methacrylate for atlantoaxial instability in 12 dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2004; 40 (03) 204-210
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Vallefuoco R, Manassero M, Leperlier D, Scotti S, Viateau V, Moissonnier P. Surgical repair of thoraco-lumbar vertebral fracture-luxations in eight cats using screws and polymethylmethacrylate fixation. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2014; 27 (04) 306-312
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Dyall BAR, Schmökel HG. Surgical site infection rate after hemilaminectomy and laminectomy in dogs without perioperative antibiotic therapy. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31 (03) 202-213
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar