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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Outcomes after cervical vertebral interbody fusion using an ...
Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(2); 347-358; doi: 10.1111/evj.13449

Outcomes after cervical vertebral interbody fusion using an interbody fusion device and polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct in 10 horses (2015-2019).

Abstract: Further development of surgical techniques for equine cervical stabilisation is necessary to make the procedure less technically demanding, reduce complications and improve outcomes. Objective: To describe clinical outcomes and owner reports in horses undergoing placement of an interbody fusion device and polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct for cervical vertebral fusion in horses with cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Data were retrieved from medical records of 10 horses undergoing cervical vertebral fusion (2015-2019). Records were evaluated for signalment, duration of clinical signs, number and location of compression sites, grade of ataxia, duration of hospitalisation and complications. Long-term follow-up was obtained through clinical re-evaluation, postoperative radiographs and owner contact. Results: Breeds were mixed. Median age was 24 (range 12-168) months. There were 2/10 mares, 4/10 geldings and 4/10 stallions. Preoperative grade of ataxia ranged from 1-3/5. Fusion was performed at one (n = 3) or two (n = 7) sites. Two horses were euthanised within the first year. In 6 of 8 horses with ≥1-year follow-up, ataxia improved by 1-3 grades, with an average improvement of 1.25 grades. In four horses, ataxia improved to grade 0-1. In two horses the gait was unaffected, but neck comfort improved. Complications included seroma formation (n = 9), pain (n = 5), fever (n = 4), upper respiratory tract obstruction (n = 2), azotemia (n = 2), screw breakage (n = 2), progression of neurological signs (n = 1), Horner's Syndrome (n = 1), dysphagia (n = 1), hives (n = 1), implant infection (n = 1) and nondisplaced fracture (n = 1). Conclusions: Small case series, heterogeneous patient population. Conclusions: This technique resulted in ≥1 grade gait improvement in 6/10 cases operated and 6/8 cases for which ≥1-year follow-up was available, similar to other methods. Fatal complications related to implant placement did not occur. This technique may represent a safer alternative to current techniques of ventral interbody fusion with similar outcomes.
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Publication Date: 2021-05-03 PubMed ID: 33844334PubMed Central: PMC8505580DOI: 10.1111/evj.13449Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article investigates the outcomes of a particular surgical technique employed in horses with a condition called cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy. The technique consists of cervical vertebral interbody fusion using an interbody fusion device and a polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct. The researchers draw on a retrospective case series consisting of 10 horses to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this surgical method.

Background and Objectives

  • Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy is a significant condition in horses, impacting their health and performance. The condition causes ataxia, or loss of control of body movements.
  • Researchers sought to improve existing surgical techniques, aiming to make them easier to conduct, reduce complications and improve results.
  • The central aim of this paper, then, is to evaluate a particular technique involving the use of an interbody fusion device and a polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct for cervical vertebral fusion in horses with the condition.

Methods of Research

  • Researchers carried out a retrospective case study using medical records of horses with the condition that underwent the operation between 2015 and 2019.
  • The records were analyzed for various points of interest, such as signalment, clinical signs, compression sites, grade of ataxia, hospitalization duration, and complications.
  • Long-term follow-up was also obtained through postoperative radiographs and owner contacts.

Results

  • The study included a range of horse breeds of mixed ages. The grade of ataxia, or loss of body movements, varied between horses before the treatment.
  • Fusion was performed at one or two sites, depending on the severity of the condition.
  • Two horses were euthanised within the first year, but in six out of eight horses with follow-up data were noted to have improved ataxia of up to 3 grades. Some horses showed significant improvement, with ataxia grades reducing to 0 or 1.
  • In some cases, while their gait was unchanged, the horses showed a marked improvement in neck comfort.
  • However, there were multiple complications reported, including seroma formation, pain, fever, and screw breakage, among others.

Conclusions

  • The study must be considered in light of its small sample size and diverse patient demographics.
  • Nevertheless, the authors conclude that the surgical technique resulted in at least one grade of gait improvement in 60% of the cases operated, comparable to other methods.
  • The method did not lead to any fatal complications related to implant placement, suggesting it could be a safer alternative to current techniques of ventral interbody fusion with similar outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Pezzanite LM, Easley JT, Bayless R, Aldrich E, Nelson BB, Seim HB, Nout-Lomas YS. (2021). Outcomes after cervical vertebral interbody fusion using an interbody fusion device and polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct in 10 horses (2015-2019). Equine Vet J, 54(2), 347-358. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13449

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 2
Pages: 347-358

Researcher Affiliations

Pezzanite, Lynn M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Easley, Jeremiah T
  • Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Bayless, Rosemary
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Aldrich, Ellison
  • Institute for Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Nelson, Brad B
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
  • Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Seim, Howard B
  • Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Nout-Lomas, Yvette S
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Pedicle Screws
  • Radiography
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Fusion / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome

Grant Funding

  • TL1 TR002533 / NCATS NIH HHS
  • Initiative for Equine Neurologic Disease at Colorado State University
  • 5TL1TR002533-02 / CCTSI NIH/NCATS CTSA
  • Colorado State University College Research Council
  • 5T32 OD010437-19 / NIH HHS
  • T32 OD011130 / NIH HHS
  • T32 OD010437 / NIH HHS
  • Carolyn Quan and Porter Bennett

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors’ declarations of interest. J. Easley is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Artemedics, LLC. The other authors declare no other competing interests related to this report.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Kondo T, Mashimo Y, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Yamada K. Investigation of a contributing factor for cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy using computed tomography for measuring the cervical vertebral volume. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Aug 1;84(8):1084-1087.
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  2. Zedler S, Jukic C, van Eps A, Stefanovski D, Genton M, Rossignol F. Ex vivo biomechanical testing of a three-dimensional printed titanium plate and spacer construct and 4.5 mm locking compression plate for ventral cervical fusion of C4-C5 in the horse. Vet Surg 2025 Oct;54(7):1344-1352.
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  3. Maurer T, de Preux M, Precht C, Vidondo B, Koch C. Accuracy of computer-assisted drilling of equine cervical vertebral bodies using a purpose-built cervical frame-An experimental cadaveric study. Vet Surg 2025 Jul;54(5):898-908.
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  4. England D, Newsom L, White C, McKenzie E. Retrospective radiographic myelogram measurements and long-term outcomes in horses undergoing cervical interbody fusion surgery: 22 cases. PLoS One 2025;20(5):e0323083.
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  5. Çetin MN, Şirin YS. Stabilisation of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and luxations in cats with a polyaxial screw/rod system. J Small Anim Pract 2025 Oct;66(10):708-716.
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  6. Domańska-Kruppa N, Stefanik E, Wierzbicka M, Kleinpeter A. A Closed Reduction of Cervical Spine Subluxation in an Arabian Foal with an External Neck Stabilizer. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 23;15(3).
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