Modified distraction-stabilization technique using an interbody polymethyl methacrylate plug in dogs with caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy.

A modified technique for distraction-stabilization that used an interbody polymethyl methacrylate plug was performed in 22 dogs with confirmed caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy. Myelographically, all compressive lesions were dynamic and predominantly located ventral to the spinal cord. Nineteen of 21 (90%) dogs for which success/failure could be determined had a successful outcome, and 11 of 22 (50%) dogs attained normal neurologic status. The 2 cases that were considered failures involved dogs that were nonambulatory tetraparetic prior to surgery and failed to improve to a functional status. Complications were self-limiting and included ventral displacement of the cement without loss of distraction in 1 dog and diskosponsylitis at an adjacent disk space in another dog. Evidence of fusion of the affected vertebrae, in the distracted position, was radiographically evident in all dogs. Use of the interbody polymethyl methacrylate plug appears to be a viable surgical treatment of caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs.