Comparative study of cement leakage and related influencing factors: vertebroplasty versus kyphoplasty

Abstract

Objective To test the differences of cement leakage rate, the distribution and reasons of leakage between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty technique on vertebral body specimens. Methods Forty vertebral body specimens were made into compression fracture model for further test: 20 of them were treated with vertebroplasty(group A),and the rest 20 specimens were proceeded to kyphoplasty procedure (group B). After surgical treatment, cement leakage and the distribution of cement were identified with reference of CT scan and recorded. Statistical softwares were employed to analyze the data, and differences was regarded as statistically significant when P<0.05. Results Eight cases(40%)of cement leakage were observed in 20 specimens of group A and 3 cases(15%)in group B respectively.χ2 test was used for the comparison of leakage rate, and it was found there was no statistically significant difference(P> 0.05). But it could show a trend:the rate of leakage after kyphoplasty was lower. Conclusion Using a kyphoplasty technique can gain lower leakage rate and higher safety than vertebroplasty. Special attentions should be paid to the pressure of balloon and the distribution of bone cement during surgical procedure. The application of high viscosity bone cement can prevent the leakage of cement effectively. Key words: Vertebroplasty; Kyphoplasty; Bone cement leakage