Intervertebral fusion for the repair of articular cervical fractures in three horses.
Authors: Campos Schweitzer Ariane, Vercherin Anouk, Rossignol Fabrice
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Intervertebral Fusion for Cervical Fractures in Horses Cervical fractures involving articular surfaces present a significant surgical challenge in horses, as traditional immobilisation alone often fails to restore functional stability. Three horses—a 9-year-old sport pony, a 5-year-old Anglo-Arabian and a 2-year-old Warmblood—underwent ventral cervical intervertebral fusion using tailored implant constructs: a standard 11-hole locking compression plate for vertebral body fracture repair, alongside two cases utilising bespoke 3D-printed titanium interbody spacers paired with either conventional or locking compression plates. All three cases demonstrated radiographic evidence of fracture healing with secondary reduction in immobilised facet joint dimensions, and importantly, neurological ataxia present preoperatively resolved completely following surgical stabilisation. This short case series suggests that ventral cervical fusion techniques warrant consideration as a viable management option for articular cervical fractures in horses, particularly when conventional approaches may prove inadequate, though larger cohort studies would be needed to establish definitive outcome benchmarks and technique-specific success rates. The use of patient-specific 3D-printed implants demonstrates the evolving potential for customised solutions in equine cervical trauma, offering surgeons additional tools beyond standard fixation systems.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Ventral cervical intervertebral fusion is a viable surgical option for managing cervical fractures involving articular surfaces when conservative treatment is not feasible
- •Modern implant options including 3D-printed titanium spacers and locking plates provide effective stabilization with good functional recovery and return to use
- •Neurological deficits such as ataxia associated with cervical fractures may resolve following appropriate surgical stabilization
Key Findings
- •Ventral cervical intervertebral fusion successfully stabilized three different types of articular cervical fractures in horses
- •Postoperative radiographs demonstrated fracture healing in all cases with reduction in immobilized facet joint size
- •Preoperative ataxia resolved following surgical fusion in cases where it was present
- •All three cases achieved excellent functional postoperative outcomes with successful fracture healing