A Wire Guide for Transosseous Osteosynthesis of the Lumbar Spine in Dogs

Introduction. The transosseous osteosynthesis method is actively used both for pathologies of limb bones and for pathologies of the axial skeleton in dogs. The insertion of the fixators through the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae requires the surgeon’s skill and precision in determining the insertion point and direction. To help novice traumatologists, a wire guide has been developed to insert the wires through the structures of the lumbar spine.
Materials and Methods. The study was performed on the basis of the experimental laboratory of the Ilizarov Centre (Kurgan city). As part of the state task, lateral interbody fusion was performed at the L4–L6 level with simultaneous bilateral posterior arthrodesis of the sacroiliac joint and external controlled transosseous osteosynthesis of the lumbar spine in 12 adult mongrel dogs. The insertion of wires through the lumbar vertebrae was performed using a wire guide for osteosynthesis of the spinal column, which was assembled from parts of the Ilizarov fixator. The wire guide consists of standard parts of the Ilizarov apparatus: a beam, one radius bar and nine short bars, threaded rods, bolts, flange nuts and two frame dismountable wire clamps. Next, the fixation of wires on the external supports was carried out according to the accepted method. After osteosynthesis, clinical and neurological studies were performed.
Results. After the dog was placed on the operating table, the distances from the external cues to the wire insertion points were calculated according to the radiographs. Two wires were put in the fixator at the required levels and, following the technique, a wire was inserted through the structures of the lumbar vertebra using a wire guide. No iatrogenic injuries were observed when using the wire guide. Clinically, after application of the external fixation device on the lumbar spine, on the next day after surgery and thereafter, preservation of all reflexes and functions of the pelvic limbs was observed. Clinical and neurological studies have confirmed the safe insertion of wires through the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae.
Discussion and Conclusion. The use of the wire guide is recommended for a novice traumatologist, proficient in the method of transosseous osteosynthesis. The wire guide allows the doctor to orientate himself when inserting the wires through the structures of the spine, in order to avoid iatrogenic damage to the spinal cord and abdominal organs.

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