Osteosynthesis of a type III sacral fracture using screws and polymethylmethacrylate in a cat

Case report

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v20n6e1967

Keywords:

Caudectomy, sacroiliac disruption, neurapraxia, sacrum, trauma

Abstract

. Sacral fractures account for approximately 3% of axial skeletal fractures in small animals and are frequently associated with pelvic fractures, usually resulting from high-energy trauma. In veterinary medicine, the most widely used classification divides these fractures into five types according to their location and the anatomical structures involved. Clinical manifestations vary according to the degree of neurological impairment and may include pain, pelvic limb paresis, altered reflexes, tail flaccidity, and urinary and fecal dysfunction. Treatment depends on the degree of vertebral displacement and the presence of neurological deficits, with osteosynthesis techniques, particularly the use of screws associated with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), being the preferred surgical approach. Absence of tail sensation and urinary dysfunction are associated with a poorer prognosis. This report describes the case of a domestic cat diagnosed with a type III (transverse) sacral fracture following a vehicular accident, treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the State University of Londrina. The patient underwent sacral osteosynthesis using screws and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), with a satisfactory clinical outcome. At the time of writing (90 days after surgery), the patient remains free of neurological sequelae.

References

Anderson, A., & Coughlan, A. R. (1997). Sacral fractures in dogs and cats: A classification scheme and review of 51 cases. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 38(9), 404–409. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1997.tb03493.x.

Çatalkaya, E., Yayla, S., Altan, S., Ersöz, K. B., Saylak, N., & Hatipoglu, Ş. (2024). A Retrospective Study on Pelvic Fractures in Cats and Dogs (2020-2022). Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 15–21. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1370455.

Davies, E., & Walmsley, G. (2011). Management of tail pull injuries in cats. In Practice, 34(1), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.1136/inp.d7449.

Flores, J. A., Rovesti, G. L., & Rodriguez-Quiros, J. (2023). External Fixation for Fracture Stabilization of the Sacrum in 15 Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, e1222504. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1222504.

Garcia, M., Dumartinet, C., Bernard, F., & Bernardé, A. (2021). Outcomes of nine cats with urinary retention after sacrocaudal luxation managed with long-term urinary diversion. Veterinary Surgery, 50(8), 1681–1687. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13695.

Gernone, F., Uva, A., Maiolini, A., & Zatelli, A. (2022). A review of the neural control of micturition in dogs and cats: neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuroplasticity. Veterinary Research Communications, 46(4), 991–998. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-022-09966-9.

Kuntz, C. A., Waldron, D., Martin, R. A., Shires, P. K., Moon, M., & Shell, L. (1995). Sacral fractures in dogs: a review of 32 cases. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 31(2), 142–150. https://doi.org/10.5326/15473317-31-2-142.

Marques, A. L. R. M., Marangoni, M., Meznerovicz, A. F. F., Gonçalves, G. F., & Braz, P. H. (2025). Multimodal anesthesia in a margay (Leopardus wiedii) for sacralosteosynthesis. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 62. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2025.235091.

Meeson, R. L., & Geddes, A. T. (2017). Management and long-term outcome of pelvic fractures: A retrospective study of 43 cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 19(1), 36–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X15606958.

Neres, H. G. C., Ramos, L. P., Oliveira, J. N., Santos, D. L., & Oliveira, L. M. (2022). Redução de Luxação Sacroilíaca em Felino: Relato de Caso. Revista Sustinere, 10. https://doi.org/10.12957/sustinere.2022.65863.

Pilot, M. A., & Langley-Hobbs, S. J. (2022). Nerve root signature in a cat: Presentation and treatment following acetabular fracture stabilisation and sacral fracture displacement. Veterinary Record Case Reports, 10(4), e484. https://doi.org/10.1002/vrc2.484.

Smeak, D. D., & Olmsted, M. L. (1985). Fracture/Luxations of the Sacrococcygeal Area in the Cat: A Retrospective Study of 51 Cases. Veterinary Surgery, 14(4), 319–326. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.1985.tb00895.x.

Sun, N., Liu, Y., Yan, H., Zhang, Z., Li, Y., & Zeng, C. (2023). Recent Progress in the Classification and Operation of Sacral Fractures. Emergency Medicine International, 2023, 2795722. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/2795722.

Tatton, B., Jeffery, N., & Holmes, M. (2009). Predicting recovery of urination control in cats after sacrocaudal injury: A prospective study. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 50(11), 593–596. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00770.x.

Vardanega, M. J., & Wilson, L. (2024). Sacral fracture stabilisation using dorsal transiliac locking plates: 12 cases (2017-2023). Journal of Small Animal Practice, 65(4), 251–260. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13711.

Wilson, L. (2015). Repair of sacral fractures using pins and polymethylmethacrylate (six cases). Australian Veterinary Journal, 93(9), 311–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12310.

Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Section

Medicina veterinária

How to Cite

1.
Oliveira CMR, Bahr M. Osteosynthesis of a type III sacral fracture using screws and polymethylmethacrylate in a cat: Case report. Pubvet [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Oct. 20];20(06):e1967. Available from: https://ojs.pubvet.com.br/index.php/revista/article/view/4747