Surgical Management of Cervical Vertebral Fractures in Two Dogs with Severe Concurrent Vertebral Venous Plexus Hemorrhage

Abstract

Surgical repair of fractures and luxations of the cranial cervical vertebrae can be complicated by vertebral venous plexus hemorrhage following fracture fragment manipulation and realignment. Severe hemorrhage is potentially life threatening and may preclude definitive surgical fixation if it cannot be acceptably controlled and interferes with fixation technique. This report describes this scenario and a surgical strategy in two dogs with fractures of the second cervical vertebra. The surgical technique to limit hemorrhage included the insertion of the pins into the vertebrae, placement of collagen fleece, and autogenous cancellous bone graft over the fracture site, and while the polymethylmethacrylate cement was still within the liquid phase, axial traction was employed. The long-term outcome was considered excellent with both dogs able to ambulate unassisted and free from signs of pain. Although it is uncommon, severe vertebral venous plexus hemorrhage can occur during cervical vertebrae fracture repair. This technique provides a means to achieve internal fixation while concurrently limiting hemorrhage.