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OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine of dogs with spinal deformities with three-dimensionally (3D) printed patient-specific drill guides. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Six dogs in which sixty pedicle screws were placed in the thoracolumbar spine. METHODS: Medical records were searched between June 2017 and June 2018 for dogs with clinical signs associated with a thoracolumbar vertebral malformation. Inclusion criteria included MRI and computed tomography (CT) data that were used to create 3D printed patient-specific drill guides. All dogs were stabilized dorsally with guided bicortical pedicle screws and polymethylmethacrylate. Accuracy of screw placement was assessed by immediately postoperative CT according to a modified Zdichavsky classification. RESULTS: Five pugs and one French bulldog met the inclusion criteria. Sixty bicortical pedicle screws were placed; 96.7% were graded as I (optimal placement), and 3.3% were classified as IIa (partial penetration of the medial pedicle wall) according to a modified Zdichavsky classification. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensionally printed patient-specific drill guides allowed safe and accurate placement of pedicle screws in the thoracolumbar spine in dogs with vertebral malformation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Three-dimensionally printed patient-specific drill guides are a safe and effective method of placing pedicle screws in dogs with thoracolumbar vertebral malformations.
Elford et al. (Wed,) studied this question.