To evaluate the complications following percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty and assess the advantage of introducing eggshell technique. We performed 138 Balloon kyphoplasty procedures in 85 patients during august 2007 to march 2010. Data was collected and analyzed in all these cases. Gender distribution was 60 females and 25 males. Age distribution was 33 to 85 years, with an average age of 67.4 years. Indications of surgery were vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis in 81% of the procedures, trauma in 13% and malignancy in 6%. The most common vertebral levels of the kyphoplasty were at T12 in 32 procedures (23%) and L1 in 28 procedures (20%). Eggshell technique was introduced in 2009 where technical problems were encountered during cementing process. All patients had reduced pain levels, which was assessed by visual analog score. The average length of hospital stay was 2.5 days. Complications were 9 (6.5%) cement leaks (all within one cm from the vertebral body) in procedures performed before the introduction of eggshell technique and no cement leak following the introduction of eggshell technique, 5 (3.6%) fresh fractures, 2 (1.4%) intra-operative fractures and 1 (0.73%) rupture of balloon. There were no complications of cord compression, motor deficit, infection, allergy to cement or pulmonary embolism noted. 30-day mortality rate was zero.Purpose
Methods and Results
To elucidate the efficacy of carrying out additional vertebral biopsy procedure during percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty as a tool in determining malignant etiology. We performed 138 percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty procedures in 85 patients during august 2007 to march 2010. Gender distribution was 25 males and 60 females. Age distribution was 33 to 85 years, with an average age of 67.4 years. The senior surgeon attempted vertebral biopsy during percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty procedure only when there was a clinical/operative suspicion of malignancy. We did not routinely biopsy all vertebrae, as this would mean additional procedure adding to the cost and operating time. In 42 procedures vertebral biopsy was attempted, of which 5 samples were reported as insufficient specimen. 37 biopsies (88%) were successfully analyzed. 3 biopsies (8.1%) were positive for malignancy. There were no complications encountered in the cases where additional biopsy procedure was carried out.Purpose
Methods and Results
35 patients were required for the study. They were randomized to have DBM and autograft on one side of the posterior approach and autograft alone on other side of the same approach. Patients were followed up with interval radiographs for total of 24mons. To date 32 patients have been recruited and with an average follow up a15.3 months. The mineralization of fusion mass lateral to the instrumentation on each side was graded as Absent, Mild (<
50%), Moderate (>
50%) or Complete fusion (100%). The assessment was made by independent orthopaedic consultant and a musculoskeletal radiologist who were blinded to graft assignment.
