Dorsal Laminectomy in the Horse III. Results in Horses With Cervical Vertebral Malformation |
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| Authors: | ALAN J NIXON BVSC MS TED S STASHAK DVM MS DiplomateACVS JAMES T INGRAM DVM MS |
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| Institution: | Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. |
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| Abstract: | Subtotal dorsal cervical laminectomy was used to relieve spinal cord compression due to cervical vertebral malformation in 16 horses. The majority were Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse males, 1 to 4 years old. The caudal cervical vertebrae were involved in all but two instances. A Funkquist type B laminectomy was performed and the defect filled with a free autogenous nuchal fat graft. All horses recovered from surgery without complication or deterioration in neurological status. Neurological improvement occurred in 12 cases, including six that became sound. Three horses fractured a vertebral articular process and were euthanized. A modification to the shape of the laminectomy was adopted to reduce this complication. |
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