Stabilisation of femoral capital physeal fractures using transcervical pinning in cats: 19 cases (2014-2022).

OBJECTIVES: To report the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in cats with femoral capital physeal fractures stabilised with transcervical pinning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of cats diagnosed with femoral capital physeal fractures and treated with transcervical pinning were reviewed. The collected data included signalment, weight, time from lameness to surgery, reported trauma, affected side, concomitant orthopaedic injuries, radiographs, osteoarthritis, femoral neck osteolysis, proximal femoral epiphysis to femoral neck ratio, fracture reduction, implants, complications and clinical evaluation results. An owner questionnaire was used for long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Nineteen cats with a total of 21 fractures met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen of the 19 cats showed no signs of lameness at the 1-month follow-up. Major and catastrophic complications occurred in 9.5% and 23.8% of the fractures, respectively. All catastrophic complications occurred in fractures with a high preoperative osteolysis grade (2 or 3). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In our study, transcervical pinning was found to be a reliable fixation method for the treatment of femoral capital physeal fractures in cats with minimal preoperative femoral neck osteolysis. High rates of implant failure with loss of fracture reduction were observed in cats with high-grade preoperative osteolysis.

Pedicle screws implantation in polymethylmethacrylate construct to stabilise sixth lumbar vertebral body fracture in dogs: 5 cases (2015-2018).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and outcome of pedicle screw implantation on sixth lumbar vertebral body fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs with sixth lumbar vertebral body fractures stabilised using L6 and L7 (±L5) pedicular implantation via a dorsal approach preferentially and conventional vertebral body implantation otherwise were reviewed. Coaptation was made with bone cement. Complete neurological examination, pre and postoperative imaging consistent with L6 body fracture (radiographs ± CT scan) and follow up including clinical examination and radiographs 3 to 5 weeks post-operatively were required as inclusion criteria. When available, owner interview and/or clinical examination and imaging (radiographs ± CT scan) at least 1 year after surgery were reported. RESULTS: Five dogs met the inclusion criteria. Dorsal pedicle screws implantation was feasible in all L7 vertebrae and in four L6 vertebrae. Adequate implantation was observed in all of the post-operative radiographs and on all of the three CT scans available. At 3 to 6 weeks after surgery, neurological status and locomotion were normal in four dogs, while one dog suffering from severe sciatic neuropathy did not regain normal locomotion. At least 1 year after surgery, clinical outcome was excellent for four dogs and imaging by radiography and CT scan were available for three dogs and showed complete healing of the fracture and correct positioning of the implants. The dog suffering from sciatic neuropathy had a further trauma and was euthanased 7 weeks after the surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this case series, pedicle screw implantation achieved stabilisation of L6 vertebral body fractures, with full recovery observed in four out of five dogs. Further studies are required to confirm the safety and the effectiveness of this intervention.

Primary stabilisation for tail avulsion in 15 cats.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a primary tail stabilisation technique in relieving pain and supporting nerve recovery in cats that have lost voluntary motor function and pain sensation in the tail without caudal nerve transection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records and preoperative diagnostic tests, including clinical examination results and tail radiographs of cats suffering from tail avulsion with loss of pain perception in the tail between 2009 and 2015. Cats with open tail fracture, tail wounds that necessitated an amputation or caudal nerve root transection were excluded. Tail reconstruction was performed, after surgical exploration, with two nylon sutures. RESULTS: Fifteen cats were included, all of which had lost voluntary motor function in the tail and 8 of 15 were urinary incontinent. After surgery, 11 cats recovered voluntary tail function and pain sensation within 14 to 90 days (mean 39 days). Five of the eight previously incontinent cats recovered urinary continence within a month of surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The reported method of primary tail stabilisation is associated with recovery of lost function in the majority of cats presenting with tail avulsions, loss of pain sensation in the tail but without caudal nerve root transection. A comparison study is required to determine whether these results are superior to conservative management.

Surgical treatment of a hemivertebra by partial ventral corpectomy and fusion in a Labrador puppy.

This report describes a partial ventral verte-brectomy and interbody fusion for a progressive hemivertebra disease using a ventral transthoracic approach in a 3.6-month-old male Labrador puppy. The goal of this article is to clarify the potential advantages of this uncommon surgical technique for this condition and to discuss its technical aspects.