Unilateral transpedicular kyphoplasty with one balloon in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Objective:To investigate the initial efficacy and safety of unilateral transpedicular kyphoplasty with one balloon for the aged osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.Method:From December 2004 to December 2006,percutaneous single transpedicular kyphoplasty with single balloon was performed on 30 patients,who presented painful vertebral compression fractures.There were 13 males with 19 compressed vertebrae and 17 females with 25 vertebrae,the average age of the patients was 72 years with a range of 66 to 83 years.44 ostesporotic vertebral compression fractures from T7 to L5 were treated.CT scan showed the posterior vertebral wall intact in all patients.Result:Operations in all patients were completed smoothy.There were three patients with less cement leakge at the anterior vertebral edge,but no clinical symptom occurred.Relief of back pain was achieved within 48 hours postoperatively,and patients were discharged in 4~12 days.The mean duration of follow‐up was 14 months(6~24 months).The VAS varied from 8.6±0.2 preoperatively to 2.0±0.3 postoperatively,and was 2.1±0.2 at last follow up(P0.01).Oswestry score changed from 43.1±1.1 preoperatively to 20.3±1.2 postoperatively,and was 21.1±1.2 at last follow up(P0.01).The height of anterior and middle vertebral column increased from 15.1±1.8mm preoperatively to 24.3±2.1mm postoperatively,and was 24.4±1.8mm at last follow up(P0.05).Cobb angles were corrected from 21.2°±4.3° preoperatively to 10.1°±3.2° postoperatively,and was 10.2°±3.3° at last follow up(P0.05).Conclusion:Unilateral transpedicular kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can restore the height of fractured vertebra,relieve pain and improve the spinal function,as well as minimize the incidence of cement leakage.Its clinical outcome is satisfactory.