Summary
A 2.9 kg Miniature Schnauzer was referred to our clinic, the Emergency & Critical
Care Medicine Service at the Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital,
following a dog fight. Physical examination findings upon admission included multiple
thoracic wounds, absence of hindlimb deep pain, and marked Schiff-Sherrington syndrome.
Computed tomography imaging revealed thoracic wall penetration and a comminuted T5
vertebral fracture. Thoracic exploration and thoracic wall repair were performed through
a median sternotomy. The vertebral fracture was exposed and stabilised intra-thoracically
through the same approach using pins and polymethylmethacrylate. The pins were placed
percutaneously into the vertebral bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. Recovery was uncomplicated
and fracture healing was documented eight weeks postoperatively. Spinal trauma secondary
to dog fights is relatively common. The presence of concurrent penetrating thoracic
injury negatively affects prognosis and necessitates thoracic exploration as soon
as feasible. The approach should allow complete thoracic exploration to repair parietal
and visceral damage, thus indicating the need for median sternotomy rather than an
intercostal approach. The present case report suggested that median sternotomy can
be used to safely apply stabilisation devices for the treatment of concurrent spinal
trauma. Direct visualisation of the vertebral bodies permited optimal implant anchorage
as compared to potentially more hazardous techniques such as dorsal pinning.
Keywords
Thoracic spine - vertebral fracture - ventral stabilisation - thoracotomy - bite wounds
