Controversies on Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty for Vertebral Compression Fractures

Abstract

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are widely used for osteoporotic and cancer-related vertebral compression fractures refractory to medical treatment. Many aspects of these procedures have been extensively discussed in the literature during the last few years. In this article, we perform a critical appraisal of current evidence on effectiveness and ongoing controversies regarding surgical technique, indications and contraindications, clinical outcomes and potential complications of these procedures.

Treatment of subacute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with percutaneous vertebroplasty: A case report

“…Several studies also reported improving kyphosis to a certain degree after PVP 11,14 . It is also shown that minimally invasive procedures, such as this one, are cost-effective in comparison to nonsurgical treatment for osteoporotic and tumor related vertebral fractures 15 .…”

“…In several conducted studies it was shown that better results were obtained when the procedure was done in the first months after the trauma 4 , but the pain relief and normal life quality after PVP were also described in patients with one year old fracture of the spine 14 . In managing this patient, surgeons opted for unilateral transpedicular approach, which advantages over the bilateral approach are in the reducing the time required to perform the treatment, radiation exposure, risks of the side effects and the costs 15 . The one of the described common complications of PVP is the fracture of the non-treated vertebrae next to the treated one 16,17 .…”