A previous report described the use of an interbody cement plug retained with endplate anchor holes in 22 dogs. Nineteen of 21 dogs for which success/failure could be determined had a successful outcome. This abstract reports the results of an alternative technique using a vertebral distractor (placed in fenestrated adjacent disc spaces) and vertebral body retention screws in conjunction with interbody cement.

Duration of clinical signs ranged from 3 days to 20 months (mean 2 months, median 4 months). Forty-four dogs were tetra/paraparetic and 8 were non-ambulatory tetraparetic. Neck pain was a feature in 35 dogs and 11 exhibited thoracic limb lameness. Spinal cord compression was associated with C6-C7 protrusion in 47 dogs, C5-C6 protrusion in 4 dogs and C5-C6-C7 protrusions in one dog.

Duration of postoperative hospitalisation ranged from 1 to 7 days (mean 2.4, median 2). Forty-eight dogs were examined between 4 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Neurological function was normal in 4, improved in 41 and unchanged in 3. Neck pain had resolved in 30, was improved in 2 and was unchanged in 1. Thoracic limb lameness had resolved in 8, improved in 2 and was unchanged in 1. Seven of 8 non-ambulatory dogs regained the ability to ambulate 3 to 11 days following surgery. The remaining dog was euthanatised. Follow-up radiographs were obtained 6 to 12 weeks postoperatively in 40 dogs. Slight loss of vertebral distraction was evident in all cases. Eight dogs (15%) had an acute deterioration in neurological function 3 days to 12 weeks following surgery. Radiographs revealed cement plug displacement ± fracture and/or vertebral endplate fracture. Seven were euthanatised. Three dogs (6%) deteriorated 4 to 16 months following surgery and were euthanatised without investigations. Nine dogs (17%) deteriorated 4 to 33 months (mean 16, median 13) postoperatively due to protrusion of an adjacent disc.

The technique was effective at improving neurological function and managing neck pain and thoracic limb lameness in the majority of Dobermans in the short-term. However, acute implant-bone failure occurred in 15% of dogs within three months of surgery and additional disc protrusions developed in 17% of dogs between four and 33 months postoperatively. The material and structural properties of the cement plug, excessive vertebral distraction, and fenestration of adjacent discs may have been contributing factors.