Six dogs suffering from traumatic posterior paralysis presented to the College Hospital were subjected to modified spinal stapling with tension band wiring for stabilization of vertebral fractures and/or dislocations. A minimum of two vertebrae cranial and caudal to the site of instability were exposed by a dorsal midline approach with the dogs on sternal recumbency under general anaesthesia. Holes were drilled at the base of the dorsal spinous processes of these vertebrae. A “U” shaped Steinmann pin/K wire was introduced through the hole in the caudal most dorsal spinous process and made to lie in such a way the arms of the implant were parallel to the vertebral column on either side. A stainless steel wire was passed through the holes in the dorsal spinous processes of vertebrae adjacent to the site of injury and over the implant in a figure of “8” fashion and tightened. Small pieces of stainless steel wire were passed through the remaining holes and tightened around the implant. The technique provided adequate stabilization of the vertebral column. Of the six dogs subjected to surgery, four became ambulatory by the 60th post-operative day.
