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Updated: May 30, 2026
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Ovine Model
Published on: October 5, 2009
Distraction-fusion for caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy using an intervertebral cage and locking plates in 14 dogs
Frank Steffen1, Katja Voss, Joe P Morgan
1Section of Small Animal Surgery/Neurology, Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. fsteffen@vetclinics.uzh.ch
Objective:
To evaluate clinical and radiographic outcome in dogs with caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) treated with an intervertebral fusion cage and locking plates.
Study Design:
Prospective clinical study.
Animals:
Large breed dogs (n=14) with CCSM.
Methods:
Dogs had single level cervical spine distraction/fusion performed using an intervertebral cage with a hollow center filled with cancellous autograft and 2 ventrally applied locking plates. Outcome was measured using neurologic scores and radiographic interpretation 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively.
Results:
The surgical procedure was well tolerated in all dogs. Final outcome at 12 months was available in 9 dogs. Five dogs were judged excellent, 1 dog was good, 2 dogs were satisfactory, and 2 dogs were poor because of adjacent segment disease. Four dogs died for reasons unrelated to the procedure. Radiographically, implants remained stable over the entire follow-up period. The disc space continued to fill with an immature pattern of new bone, which showed progressive increase in opacity and quantity. Subsidence of the cage (median 2 m) was detected in 9 dogs at 6 weeks and remained unchanged in those that could be followed further.
Conclusion:
Distraction-fusion of single level CCSM in dogs with a combination of intervertebral cage and ventral locking plates is clinically effective and results in successful bony fusion.