Beschreibung
The feasability of using a locking plate system (LCCP from VOl) for the surgical treatment of fractures and dislocations of lumbar spine in cats is evaluated in the present study. As part of this, a computed tomographic examination of the lumbar spine is carried out to measure the heights and widths of the vertebral bodies at four different locations to detect potential implantation corridors. The next step is the surgical insertion of the implant system. After implantation, another computed tomographic examination follows to determine the actual implantation angle and to assess whether or not penetration of the spinal canal (breaching) occurs. Breachings are classified. The results of the study suggest that the implant system used is basically suitable for the spinal column section from L1 to L5 in cats. This is reflected in the very low number of breaches in this area. In 267 implantations, this occurs in only three cases, which corresponds to 1.1%. The implantation can be carried out without difficulties and in a reproducible manner, which is reflected in a mean implantation angle of 61.6° being very close to the target angle of 60°. The reproducibility is underpinned by the fact that there are no significant deviations in the implantation angles between the individual vertebral bodies or within the corridors of the vertebral bodies themselves. Deviating implantation angles in cases where a breach has taken place may be the cause, even if this cannot be clearly proven statistically. However, this is due to the low proportion of breaches in a high number of implantations carried out, which in turn speaks for a practicable and safe use of the implant in the spinal column section in question. This presumption is supported by the fact that in a wide range of implantation angles from 54.2°-72.3° not a single breaching can be detected. In order to clearly substantiate this statistically, a significant increase in the study population would be necessary. In contrast, the suitability assumed for the area from L1 to L5 cannot be pronounced for the two caudal lumbar vertebrae L6 and in particular L7. The lacking recommendation of the suitability of the implant used specifically for these two vertebrae is based on the marked accumulation of occurring breaches at these locations. Of the 32 breaches that occurred in all vertebrae, 29 were in the L6 and L7 vertebrae, which represents a percentage of over 90%. The most likely reason for the clustering in this area appears to be primarily the anatomical nature of these two vertebrae. Especially regarding corridor 3, where nearly all breaches occurred.
Whether the implant used in this technique can also be classified as suitable from a biomechanical point of view must be evaluated in further studies.
