Summary
In an experimental study the authors tried to clarify the effect on vertebral growth and spinal curvature in dogs following fixation of the posterior elements of the spine at different levels using bone cement. In three separate experimental groups a segment of the dorsal spine, the dorso-lumbar spine or the lumbar spine was securely fixed with bone cement incorporating a radio-opaque wire marker. Growth of the spine was observed with serial X-rays over a six-month period and the following results obtained:
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1.
Growth in height of the vertebra was not affected by the fixation;
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2.
The intervertebral disc spaces widened anteriorly and narrowed posteriorly even when fracture of the bone cement occurred;
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3.
Increasing lordosis developed in all three experimental groups even when a physiological kyphosis was normally present. The greatest increase occurred in the lumbar spine;
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4.
Fracture of the cement occurred consistently when attempting to secure the dorso-lumbar junction.
Résumé
Les auteurs ont essayé de préciser expérimentalement, chez le chien, l'effet sur la croissance des vertèbres et sur la courbure rachidienne d'une fixation des éléments postérieurs de la colonne vertèbrale à différents niveaux. Dans trois groupes distincts d'animaux ils ont immobilisé solidement un segment rachidien dorsal, dorso-lombaire ou lombaire au moyen de ciment dans lequel ils ont inclus un fil servant de marqueur radio-opaque. La croissance de la colonne a été suivie pendant six mois grâce à une série de radiographies. Les auteurs ont obtenu les résultats suivants:
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1.
La croissance en hauteur des vertèbres n'est pas modifiée par la fixation;
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2.
L'espace intervertébral s'agrandit en avant et se rétrécit en arrière même si le ciment se fracture;
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3.
Une lordose progressive se développe dans les trois groupes d'animaux, même en présence d'une cyphose physiologique normale. La lordose la plus sévère se rencontre au niveau du rachis lombaire;
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4.
Lors des tentatives d'immobilisation de la jonction dorsolombaire, une fracture du ciment se produit régulièrement.
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Moon, MS., Ok, IY. The effect of posterior spinal fixation with bone cement upon vertebral growth in dogs. International Orthopaedics 4, 13–18 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266598
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266598