Early results of kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Objectives: We evaluated early results of kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with regard to the level of pain, activity levels of patients, and radi-ographic restoration of the vertebra bodies. Methods: Sixteen patients (4 males, 12 females; mean age 63 years; range 55 to 72 years) with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the lumbar spine were treated with kyphoplasty. The procedure was performed at 21 levels, with a minimum of 3 ml (range 3 to 6 ml) of cement per level. The mean time from the onset of symptoms to the application was six days (range 2 to 16 days). The eff e c-tiveness of the procedure was evaluated by a visual analog scale (VAS: 0 no pain; 10 very severe pain) before kypho-pl asty, and after the first day and one month of the procedure. In addition, restoration of the vertebra bodies was assessed on pre- and postoperative radiographs by measuring the anterior, middle, and posterior heights. The mean follow-up was 11 months (range 4 to 30 months). Re s u lts: The mean VAS scores were 8.8 (range 7 to 10), 2.4 (range 1 to 5), and 1.6 (range 0 to 3) before kyphoplasty, and after the first day and one month of the procedure, respectively (p<0.0001). All the patients returned to preinjury levels of activity within the first month. No collapse or refracture occurred in the treated vertebrae. Changes in the anterior, middle, and posterior heights of the vertebra bodies after the procedure were not significant. The only complication was the development of an additional fracture in the nearby segment in two patients, for which kyphoplasty was performed. Conclusion: With proper patient selection, kyphoplasty is an effective and reliable option for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, yielding 80% to 95% success rates.