Comparison of percutaneous curved kyphoplasty and bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Here we compared the clinical efficacy of bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and percutaneous curved kyphoplasty (PCKP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). METHODS: Seventy-two patients with single-level thoracolumbar OVCF were randomly divided into 2 groups (36 patients in each) and were subjected to either PCKP or bilateral PKP. The intraoperative fluoroscopy time, total surgical time, bone cement injection volume, bone cement leakage, preoperative and postoperative anterior vertebral height, Cobb angles, visual analog scales (VAS) and oswestry disability index questionnaire (ODI) were recorded. RESULTS: Both groups of patients had a trend towards improvements in VAS and ODI scores 24 h and 6 months after surgery, when compared to preoperative results, despite lack of statistical significance. The total surgical and intraoperative fluoroscopy times and intraoperative bone cement injection volume were significantly decreased in the PCKP group than those in the PKP group. The anterior edge height and Cobb angle of the injured vertebra were similarly improved after operation in both groups. CONCLUSION: PCKP is safer, less invasive and quicker than traditional bilateral PKP despite similar short-term effects for the treatment of OVCF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100042859. Registered 25 January 2021- Retrospectively registered.