Results of kyphoplasty according to the operative timing

Abstract

Background Balloon kyphoplasty is a recently developed minimally invasive surgical treatment that is designed to treat both the fracture-related pain and the kyphotic deformity in patients. To date, there have been few reports about the effect of kyphoplasty on the extent of fracture reduction of the spine according to the timing of the treatment. Methods From October 2006 through November 2008, female patients who underwent kyphoplasty were analyzed. Group 1 consisted of 20 patients who underwent kyphoplasty within 2 weeks after fracture occurrence. Group 2 consisted of 20 patients who underwent kyphoplasty more than two weeks after fracture occurrence. We preoperatively performed assessment of the patients' information and postoperatively performed assessment of radiographs that showed the restoration and Cobb angle. Results The mean vertebral body height restoration and restoration rate were much improved in both groups after kyphoplasty (group 1: anterior portion restoration 22.6%, restoration rate 46.2% and middle portion restoration 25.3%, restoration rate 52.6%; group 2: anterior portion restoration 12.9%, restoration rate 28.2% and middle portion restoration 17.9%, restoration rate 36.6%). There was a statistically significant difference in the restoration and restoration rate between both groups (P<0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference in Cobb angles (group 1 improved 8.8°, group 2 improved 4.2°). Conclusions Vertebral height restoration was better achieved within 2 weeks of the fracture occurrence. It seems reasonable that patients presenting with an acute vertebral compression fracture and substantial kyphosis might be best managed with earlier intervention in attempting to maximize improvement in kyphosis correction.