Percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with spinal canal compromise

BACKGROUND: Very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (vsOVCFs) are osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with vertebral body collapse to less than one third of their original height. Few data are available about the use of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in treating vsOVCFs with spinal canal compromise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of vsOVCFs with spinal canal compromise. METHODS: Thirty-five patients who suffered vsOVCFs with spinal canal compromise but without neurological deficits were treated by PKP between January 2009 and October 2014. The vertebral height, local kyphotic angle (LKA), visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) values were assessed before the operation, 1 day after the operation and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: Significant improvements on the VAS and ODI were noted 1 day post-operatively (p < 0.01), and these results were preserved at the final follow-up. The vertebral height was restored and the LKA was improved after surgery (p < 0.01). No neurological deterioration was found. Five of 35 vertebrae (14.3%) of cement leakages were all asymptomatic. Four new OVCFs in three patients were identified. CONCLUSION: PKP is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of vsOVCFs with spinal canal compromise, achieving significant vertebral height restoration and kyphotic angle reduction and leading to a significant pain relief and improvement in function.