169 Corresponding author: Ramazan GONENCI Mustafa Kemal Univ, Veteriner Fak, Cerrahi AD, Hatay, Turkey e-mail: gonenci@mku.edu.tr Van Vet J, 2017, 28 (3) 169-172 Van Veterinary Journal http://vfdergi.yyu.edu.tr ISSN: 2149-3359 Case Report e-ISSN: 2149-8644 Operative Treatment of Traumatic Thoracolumbar Luxations in Two Cats by a Method of Simple Spinal Process Stabilization Ramazan GÖNENCİ Ziya YURTAL Mehmet Zeki Yılmaz DEVECİ Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery, Hatay, Turkey Received: 06.10.2016 Accepted: 14.02.2017 SUMMARY In this case report, the operative treatment outcomes of spinal vehicular trauma was evaluated in two cats that brought to Mustafa Kemal University Veterinary Faculty Surgery Clinic. The cases were clinically paraplegic, and a thoracolumbar luxation between Th13 and L1 in one and a thoracal fracture-luxation between Th11 and Th12 in the latter were diagnosed radiographically. The cases were operated by a method of simple spinal process stabilization, using two rods stabilized to processus spinosus of related vertabrates by cerclage wires. It was not observed any postoperative complication and concluded that this method was useful. Key Words: Cat, Simple spinal process stabilization, Traumatic spinal luxation ÖZET İki Kedide Karşılaşılan Travmatik Torakolumbal Çıkığın Basit Spinal Proses Stabilizasyon Metodu ile Operatif Sağaltımı Bu olgu raporunda, trafik kazası sonucu Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Cerrahi Kliniği’ne getirilen iki kedide karşılaşılan spinal travmanın operatif sağaltım sonuçları değerlendirildi. Klinik olarak paraplejik olan bu olguların radyografilerinde, Th13 - L1 arasında torakolumbal çıkık ve Th11 - Th12 arasında torakal kırıklı çıkık tanısı konuldu. Olgular komşu Processus spinalislere iki pinin serklaj telleri ile tutturulması prensibine dayanan basit spinal proses stabilizasyon metodu ile opere edildi. Herhangi bir postoperatif komplikasyon gözlenmeyen bu metodun faydalı olduğu sonucuna varıldı . Anahtar Kelimeler: Basit spinal proses stabilizasyonu, Kedi, Travmatik spinal çıkık INTRODUCTION Vehicular trauma, bite and gunshot wounds are the most common causes of thoracolumbar spinal fractures and luxations in dogs and cats depending on the animal’s position at the time of impact, the type of force conveyed, the area of impact and inherent strengths and weaknesses of the vertebral column (Bali et al. 2009; Krauss et al. 2012). Reduction or loss of voluntary movements, alteration of spinal reflexes, changes in muscle tones and sensory dysfunctions are seen to a varying degree in all animals which have a spinal cord injury. After physical and neurological examinations; the major purposes of complete radiographical evaluation of the vertebral column are precise localization of lesions, demonstration of multiple lesions not suspected based on results of a neurological examination, assessment of indications for surgery and determination of the most appropriate surgical procedure that might be used. The most important prognostic factor after spinal cord trauma is the presence or absence of deep pain sensation. Regardless of radiographical findings, the assessment of neurological status by careful neurological examination is the most important point at establishing prognosis of spinal cord injury (Sturges and Le Counter 2003). The report was aimed the evaluation of operative outcomes performed to thoracolumbar luxation and thoracal fracture-luxation cases in two cats exposed to motor vehicle accidents. CASES A 3-year-old, 3 kg weighted, male, mix breed cat and a 3- month-old, 0.5 kg weighted, female, mix breed cat had exposed to a motor vehicle accident a few days before and brought to Mustafa Kemal University Veterinary Faculty Surgery Clinic (Fig. 1). The former (Case 1) was not able to stand up and use its hind limbs. In addition to the paraplegie, it was seen deformation, gibbosity and local pain at the thoracolumbar region. Patellar, cranial tibial and gastrocnemial reflexes and deep pain were observed to be absent in neurological examination but anal reflex was present. A thoracolumbar luxation was diagnosed between thoracal 13 (Th13) and lumbar 1 (L1) vertebrates by a lateral radiogram (Fig. 1). The latter (Case 2) was