Lumbosacral junction pedicle-probing technique for implant corridors in cats: feasibility and limitations.

Pedicle-probing at L7-S1 in cats is feasible but carries significant breach risk at L7.

This cadaveric feasibility study evaluated a pedicle-probing technique for establishing safe implant corridors at the lumbosacral junction (L7-S1) in cats, a region of clinical relevance for spinal stabilization procedures. CT imaging was performed on 13 feline cadavers pre- and post-operatively to assess pedicle drill tract accuracy using a validated 4-point classification system for vertebral canal breach. At L7, only 76.9% of drill tracts were fully contained within the pedicle, with a notable 7.7% resulting in complete vertebral canal breach—a potentially serious complication risking neurological injury in a clinical setting. Performance was superior at S1, where 92.3% of drill tracts were fully contained within the pedicle and no complete breaches occurred. The technique involves use of a blunt probe followed by a drill bit to navigate the narrow pedicle corridors. Variations in drill tract positioning, trajectory, and proximity to ventral S1 foramina were also documented, highlighting the anatomical complexity of this region in cats. The study demonstrates that while pedicle-probing can facilitate implant placement at L7-S1 in cats, the technique carries a significant risk of canal breach at L7, underscoring the technical difficulty. These findings suggest that surgeons should exercise considerable caution, and further refinement of technique or use of intraoperative imaging guidance may be warranted before widespread clinical application.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.