Percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Abstract

Objective To discuss the methods and the effects of percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP)in the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures ( OVCFs).Methods Retrospective analysis was made on 110 vertebrae in 96 thoracolumbar OVCFs patients undergoing transpedicular unilateral PKP or PKP combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) from Jan.2004 to Nov.2011.We analyzed the change of the anterior heights of the vertebra,the clinical outcomes using VAS and Oswcstry bcforc and after the treatment,and the rate of cement leakage.Results 85 vertebrae were treated with the PKP sucessfully,and 25 vertebraewere treated with both PKP and PVP sucessfu]ly.All patients were satisfied with the diffusion of the cement.Theoperation time of each vertebra was about 20-40 minutes for one side.The injection volume of of each vertebrawas about 5.4 ml.According to VAS and Oswestry,the pain was alleviated obviously after the operation ( P ＜0.01) and the anterior heights of the vertebrae changed ( P ＜ 0.01).The leakage of the cement was the only complication in these patients and most of the leakage happened at the anterior of the vertebrae and the vein nearby.The overall rate of the leakage was 56.3％.For the 40 vertebrae of the 36 patients that were followed up,1patient had fracture in a neighbor vertebra and 1patient had subsidence in the upper anterior edge of the treated vertebra where there was no cement filled in,but the patient had no discomfort.Conclusion PKP or PKP combined with PVP are safe,convenient and effective methods in treating OVCFs. Key words: Osteoporosis; Thoracolumbar compression fractures; Percutaneous kyphoplasty