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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Internal fixation of a complete ventral luxation of the dens...
Veterinary surgery : VS2019; 48(8); 1500-1506; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13283

Internal fixation of a complete ventral luxation of the dens axis in an American quarter horse yearling.

Abstract: To report surgical treatment of a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation with a 4.5-mm T-locking compression plate (T-LCP) in a horse. Methods: Case report. Methods: A one-year-old American quarter horse filly. Methods: A one-year-old American quarter horse filly presented with a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation. Closed and open reduction of the luxation were attempted under general anesthesia with the aid of a pulley system. Because the manual reduction was unsuccessful, the dens axis was excised, and the atlas and axis were stabilized with a 4.5-mm T-LCP. Four 5.5-mm cortex screws were placed across the atlantoaxial articulation in lag fashion to provide additional stability. Results: The horse made an uneventful recovery from surgery and remained comfortable thereafter. Nine months postsurgery, the filly had developed normally and did not show any sign of ataxia or reduced mobility of the cranial neck. Conclusions: The described surgical approach resulted in the successful stabilization of a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation in an American quarter horse yearling, with a favorable outcome. Conclusions: Complete atlantoaxial luxation is associated with a poor prognosis for survival in horses. This is the first report of a favorable outcome after surgical stabilization. The described approach presents a valuable alternative to the manual reduction of atlantoaxial luxation in horses.
© 2019 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-12 PubMed ID: 31298433DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13283Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research presents a case study where a surgical technique was successfully applied on a one-year-old American quarter horse suffering from a complete atlantoaxial luxury.

Research Context

  • The research is based on the case of a one-year-old American quarter horse with a fully dislocated atlantoaxial joint. The atlantoaxial joint is a significant pivot point between the atlas (the first cervical vertebra) and the axis (the second cervical vertebra), facilitating the head’s rotation.
  • Historically, the complete dislocation of this joint, known as atlantoaxial luxation, is associated with a poor prognosis for horses, often causing severe neurological deficits.

Methods Used

  • The researchers initially tried to reset the dislocated joint through closed and open reduction procedures under general anesthesia, with the help of a pulley system.
  • Given the lack of success in manual reduction, they decided to take a different approach: the dens axis (the bony protrusion of the axis) was removed, and the atlas and axis were stabilized using a T-locking compression plate (T-LCP) of 4.5-mm.
  • Additional stability was granted by placing four 5.5-mm cortex screws across the atlantoaxial articulation in a lag fashion (meaning they were inserted in such a way as to compress the atlas and axis for enhanced stability).

Results and Conclusion

  • The horse recovered from the surgical procedure without any complications and continued to live comfortably.
  • Nine months after the surgery, the horse displayed normal development and exhibited no signs of ataxia (incoordination) or reduced mobility of the upper neck.
  • This is the first reported incident where a horse has favorably recovered from a surgery aimed at atlantoaxial luxation stabilization.
  • This research introduces a promising alternative surgical approach to the manual reduction of this rare and often fatal equine condition.

Cite This Article

APA
Schulze N, Ehrle A, Noguera Cender AC, Lischer C. (2019). Internal fixation of a complete ventral luxation of the dens axis in an American quarter horse yearling. Vet Surg, 48(8), 1500-1506. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13283

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 8
Pages: 1500-1506

Researcher Affiliations

Schulze, Nicole
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery, and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Ehrle, Anna
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery, and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Noguera Cender, Andrea C
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery, and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Lischer, Christoph
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery, and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint / surgery
  • Bone Plates / veterinary
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses / surgery
  • Joint Dislocations / veterinary
  • Odontoid Process / surgery

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK. Recovery after General Anaesthesia in Adult Horses: A Structured Summary of the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061777pubmed: 34198637google scholar: lookup
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