Papers by Keyword: Kyphoplasty

Abstract: Study Design A retrospective study of patients who underwent kyphoplasty at a single institute. Objective To examine and compare the safety and long-term radiographic and clinical effects of unilateral or bilateral kyphoplasty to treat symptomatic vertebral compression fractures (VCF). Summary of Background Data Kyphoplasty (KP) involves placement of inflatable bone tamp via unilateral and bilateral approaches. Few randomized study comparing the radiographic and clinical outcomes using unilateral and bilateral approaches was reported. Methods 50 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) were allocated into two groups adopting unilateral or bilateral kyphoplasty. Preoperative and postoperative pain scores, Vertebral body height were compared and analyzed. Results Both unilateral and bilateral kyphoplasty resulted in significant pain reduction. Significant increases of midline vertebral body height were recorded for both groups after surgery and maintained for the period of follow-up. Asymptomatic cement extravasation occurred in 8 of 50 patients, and 2 patients developed additional fractures at untreated levels during the period of follow-up. Conclusions Both unilateral and bilateral KP can improve clinical effects of osteoporotic VCF and result in significant vertebral height restoration for at least 18 months after treatment.

Abstract: Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease and the most common cause of fractures in older adults. Vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is the most common complication in patients with osteoporosis. At present, vertebroplasty (VP) and kyphoplasty (KP) are two minimally invasive techniques used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. In clinical use, KP and VP have stable and reliable therapeutic effects. However, there are still some complications and issues surrounding KP and VP application, and for long-term clinical follow-up. Thus, it is important to continue to improve the technology of the filler materials used in KP and VP in order to evolve the biomechanical characteristics of the postoperative vertebra, and to reduce the incidence of complications. The filler materials used for both techniques require good biocompatibility, good biomechanical strength and stiffness, and good radiopacity for the fluoroscopy guided procedures. PMMA and new filler materials (calcium phosphate cement, calcium sulfate cement, composite materials) are now available for clinical use. In this review paper, we will focus on the issues and characteristics of these filler materials.

Abstract: We have successfully treated osteoporotic spine fractures for about three years, by using transpedicular kyphoplasty with hydroxyapatite blocks (HA Block: PENTAX) (refer with: Fig. 1), The 13 patients, four men and nine women, ranged from 61 to 86 years in age (mean, 73 years). The mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was 8.5 points before operation, improved to 2.7 points on the next day of operation, and improved significantly to 1.8 points at the final evaluation. The mean deformity rate (Anterior height / Posterior height x 100) was 66.3% before operation, but improved to 91.7% immediately after operation. At the time of follow-up, this rate was 78.6%, indicating that the correction loss was 13.1%. This procedure caused none of serious complications such as neurological disorder and pulmonary infarction. Kyphoplasty with HA blocks may be safe and effective in the treatment of chronic vertebral fractures.

Abstract: We innovated a new technique and hydroxyapatite material “HA Block” in order to decrease complications such as pulmonary embolization and correct kyphosis due to osteoporosis. A cadaveric study of vertebroplasty was attempted to confirm accurate the efficacy for three materials in terms of restoration of vertebral height, strength and stiffness after packing HA Block as compared with Polymethylmethacrylate Cement (PMMA) and alpha-tri-calcium phosphate cement (Biopex-R) in cadaveric study. By using thoracolumber spines derived from elderly human cadavers, two kinds of vertebral fracture models: Flat and Wedge were made on MTS 858 Mini. Restoration rate after packing each material was best for HA Block. The strength of HA Block was somewhat lower than PMMA and Biopex-R. It is suggested that HA Block had moderate and optimal strength to reduce stress to adjuscent vertebra and was enable to correct kyphosis in osteoporotic spine.