Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs

IntroductionCongenital vertebral malformations are common developmental abnormalities in screw-tailed brachycephalic dog breeds. Subsequent vertebral instability and/or vertebral canal stenosis caused by these malformations can lead to spinal cord compression manifesting in pain, paraparesis, ataxia...

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Main Authors: Phillip Guirguis, Ilja Asanovic, David S. Beggs, Sam N. Long
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1491620/full
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author Phillip Guirguis
Ilja Asanovic
David S. Beggs
Sam N. Long
author_facet Phillip Guirguis
Ilja Asanovic
David S. Beggs
Sam N. Long
author_sort Phillip Guirguis
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionCongenital vertebral malformations are common developmental abnormalities in screw-tailed brachycephalic dog breeds. Subsequent vertebral instability and/or vertebral canal stenosis caused by these malformations can lead to spinal cord compression manifesting in pain, paraparesis, ataxia and/or paralysis. Various methods for spinal stabilization are in common use. However, these are without significant risk due to narrow margins of surgical error and variable vertebral anatomy. We evaluate a novel method for spinal stabilization where a custom 3D-printed plate is created and surgically fitted to the patient’s spine using custom 3D-printed drill guides.ObjectiveTo describe the surgical technique and short-term outcomes in patients treated with custom 3D-printed plates and drill guides.MethodA retrospective analysis of 11 dogs from two referral hospitals which underwent this procedure was undertaken. Post-operative CT scans were assessed for spinal canal screw perforation using the modified Zdichavsky classification. Pre-operative and post-operative neurological status were assessed using the Modified Frankel Scale and the surgical technique including post-operative imaging and recovery findings were described.ResultsOptimal screw placement (grade I) was achieved in 63% of placed screws across the eleven dogs. Partial penetration of the medial wall (grade IIa) was observed in 3% of screws and partial penetration of the lateral wall (grade IIIa) was observed in 29% of screws. Full penetration of the lateral pedicle wall (grade IIIb) was observed in 5% of screws and no screws fully penetrated the medial vertebral wall (grade IIb).DiscussionWe demonstrated that custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plates can provide a safe peri-operative alternative for surgical spinal stabilization of dogs with vertebral column instability due to congenital vertebral malformations. Further research is needed to describe long-term outcomes of this surgical technique on patient health.
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spelling doaj-art-0bb465e8fb9c439bb71e4dd792d7ed452024-12-20T06:29:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692024-12-011110.3389/fvets.2024.14916201491620Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogsPhillip Guirguis0Ilja Asanovic1David S. Beggs2Sam N. Long3Melbourne Veterinary School, Werribee, VIC, AustraliaCentre of Advanced Batch Manufacture, Swansea, United KingdomMelbourne Veterinary School, Werribee, VIC, AustraliaVeterinary Referral Hospital, Dandenong, VIC, AustraliaIntroductionCongenital vertebral malformations are common developmental abnormalities in screw-tailed brachycephalic dog breeds. Subsequent vertebral instability and/or vertebral canal stenosis caused by these malformations can lead to spinal cord compression manifesting in pain, paraparesis, ataxia and/or paralysis. Various methods for spinal stabilization are in common use. However, these are without significant risk due to narrow margins of surgical error and variable vertebral anatomy. We evaluate a novel method for spinal stabilization where a custom 3D-printed plate is created and surgically fitted to the patient’s spine using custom 3D-printed drill guides.ObjectiveTo describe the surgical technique and short-term outcomes in patients treated with custom 3D-printed plates and drill guides.MethodA retrospective analysis of 11 dogs from two referral hospitals which underwent this procedure was undertaken. Post-operative CT scans were assessed for spinal canal screw perforation using the modified Zdichavsky classification. Pre-operative and post-operative neurological status were assessed using the Modified Frankel Scale and the surgical technique including post-operative imaging and recovery findings were described.ResultsOptimal screw placement (grade I) was achieved in 63% of placed screws across the eleven dogs. Partial penetration of the medial wall (grade IIa) was observed in 3% of screws and partial penetration of the lateral wall (grade IIIa) was observed in 29% of screws. Full penetration of the lateral pedicle wall (grade IIIb) was observed in 5% of screws and no screws fully penetrated the medial vertebral wall (grade IIb).DiscussionWe demonstrated that custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plates can provide a safe peri-operative alternative for surgical spinal stabilization of dogs with vertebral column instability due to congenital vertebral malformations. Further research is needed to describe long-term outcomes of this surgical technique on patient health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1491620/fullcaninevertebral malformationspinal stabilizationtitanium plates3D printed drill guides
spellingShingle Phillip Guirguis
Ilja Asanovic
David S. Beggs
Sam N. Long
Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
canine
vertebral malformation
spinal stabilization
titanium plates
3D printed drill guides
title Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs
title_full Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs
title_fullStr Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs
title_full_unstemmed Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs
title_short Retrospective analysis of custom 3D-printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs
title_sort retrospective analysis of custom 3d printed drill guides and titanium plate use in spinal stabilization of eleven dogs
topic canine
vertebral malformation
spinal stabilization
titanium plates
3D printed drill guides
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1491620/full
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