3D-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer for C6-C7 fusion in a horse with discospondylitis.
Authors: Vercherin Anouk, Lischer Christophorus J, Schweitzer Ariane Campos, Gernhardt Jennifer, Rossignol Fabrice
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: 3D-Printed Titanium Cervical Fusion in Equine Discospondylitis Severe discospondylitis at the C6-C7 junction presents a significant clinical challenge in horses, often resulting in progressive neurological deterioration that conventional treatments struggle to manage. This case report documents the surgical management of a 4-year-old Warmblut gelding with 14 months of progressive ataxia (grade 3/5 on the Mayhew scale) caused by severe disc-vertebral body infection and substantial spinal cord compression, treated via arthrodesis using a custom 3D-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer (CIS) and matching surgical instrumentation. At the 16-month follow-up, radiographic evaluation confirmed stable implant positioning, preserved vertebral alignment, and complete bony fusion across the affected segment, whilst gait assessment revealed resolution of overt ataxia with only mild residual thoracic limb dysmetria remaining. The successful outcome suggests that patient-specific 3D-printed implants may offer superior biomechanical stability and anatomical fit compared to off-the-shelf alternatives for caudal cervical fusion in horses, potentially improving both fusion rates and functional recovery. For practitioners managing equine cervical discospondylitis refractory to conservative therapy, this technique represents an emerging surgical option, though further clinical data across multiple cases and longer-term follow-up periods will be necessary to establish its efficacy and cost-effectiveness in routine practice.
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Practical Takeaways
- •3D-printed titanium spacers represent a viable surgical option for treating severe cervical discospondylitis in horses when conservative management has failed
- •Custom-designed implants with patient-specific instrument sets can facilitate precise vertebral alignment and fusion in complex cervical cases
- •Long-term implant stability and functional neurological improvement suggest this technique warrants further clinical evaluation in equine cervical surgery
Key Findings
- •3D-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer successfully stabilized C6-C7 discospondylitis in a horse with severe spinal cord compression
- •Implant remained stable with maintained vertebral alignment at 16-month follow-up radiographic evaluation
- •Clinical ataxia improved from grade 3/5 to resolution of overt ataxia with only mild thoracic limb dysmetria post-operatively