Tomographic, cadaveric and clinical study of safe corridors for insertion of implants in the thoracolumbar spine of dogs and cats using a lateral approach.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to: describe a lateral vertebral corridor (T6-L7) for the implantation of screws and polymethylmethacrylate to treat thoracolumbar vertebral injuries; assess the feasibility and safety of this approach using computed tomography; assess the learning curve of this technique in canine cadavers; and assess the outcomes in injured dogs and cats in a retrospective clinical study.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Tomographic study: Lateral vertebral corridors were defined using computed tomography images of normal canine spines in the transverse plane. Cadaveric study: Corridors were drilled by a novice neurosurgeon on the cadavers, and deviation from an angle of 90° was evaluated on computed tomography in chronological order to assess the learning curve.

CLINICAL STUDY: The medical records (from 2008 to 2022) of dogs and cats treated for thoracolumbar vertebral injury using the lateral approach were reviewed.

RESULTS

Computed tomography revealed that the lateral corridors were safe and effective. A progressive reduction in the deviation between the measured and ideal insertion angles was observed in the cadaveric part of the study. Overall, 17/30 animals (56.7%) regained the ability to walk without assistance postoperatively and 3/11 animals (27.3%) that had lost deep pain sensation. There were 3/30 (10%) minor complications and 8/30 (26.7%) major complications, including perioperative death and euthanasia.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lateral vertebral corridors with an orientation angle of 90° may be safely used in caudal thoracic and lumbar vertebrae (T6-L7) in a freehand technique to treat vertebral fractures and/or luxations in dogs and cats.