MODIFIED DISTRACTION-STABILIZATION TECHNIQUE USING AN INTERBODY POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE PLUG IN DOGS WITH CAUDAL CERVICAL SPONDYLOMYELOPATHY

A modified technique for distraction-stabilization that used an interb ody polymethyl methacrylate plug was performed in 22 dogs with confirm ed caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy. Myelographically, all compressi ve lesions were dynamic and predominantly located ventral to the spina l cord. Nineteen of 21 (90%) dogs for which success/failure could be d etermined had a successful outcome, and 11 of 22 (50%) dogs attained n ormal neurologic status. The 2 cases that were considered failures inv olved dogs that were nonambulatory tetraparetic prior to surgery and f ailed to improve to a functional status. Complications were self-limit ing and included ventral displacement of the cement without loss of di straction in 1 dog and diskospondylitis at an adjacent disk space in a nother dog. Evidence of fusion of the affected vertebrae, in the distr acted position, was radiographically evident in all dogs. Use of the i nterbody polymethyl methacrylate plug appears to be a viable surgical treatment for caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs.