SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF CERVICAL STENOTIC MYELOPATHY IN HORSES - 73 CASES (1983-1992)

Seventy-three horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy underwent cervi cal vertebral interbody fusion (n = 63) or dorsal laminectomy (n = 10) . Neurologic function improved in 77% of horses, and 46% of horses ach ieved athletic function (racing, race training, or pleasure riding) af ter cervical vertebral interbody fusion for static and dynamic spinal cord compressive lesions. Neurologic status improved in 4 of 10 horses after dorsal decompression for static compressive spinal cord lesions . The duration of clinical signs prior to surgical intervention was sh orter for horses that achieved athletic function or improved by at lea st 2 neurologic grades than for horses that did not improve in neurolo gic status or improved 1 neurologic grade after cervical vertebral int erbody fusion. The number of cervical spinal cord compressive lesions and age of horses did not affect the long-term surgical outcome of cer vical vertebral interbody fusion. Seroma formation, implant failure, r ight laryngeal hemiplegia, and colitis were nonfatal complications ass ociated with cervical vertebral interbody fusion. Dorsal laminectomy a nd cervical vertebral interbody fusion of static compressive lesions o f the caudal cervical vertebral column were associated with fatal post operative complications, including vertebral body fracture, spinal cor d edema, and implant failure.