Ergebnisse der Ballonkyphoplastie in der Behandlung von osteoporotischen Wirbelkörperfrakturen

Different Associated Aspects That Influence Complication Rates on Clinical PKP Surgery Using Smart Medical Big Data

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are on the rise in modern society due to the aging population, and this often results in painful symptoms and kyphotic abnormalities in patients. Bone cement was injected into the vertebral body to reinforce the vertebral body and restore most of the damaged vertebrae's natural height. Percutaneous kyphoplasty is the name given to this type of procedure (PKP). Bone cement leakage has been linked to several problems, according to the research. Neurological problems might arise if bone cement leaks into the spinal canal or the nerve root canal during surgery. As a result, PKP surgeons must now deal with the issue of reducing bone cement leakage. Using smart medical big data, this paper examines a sample of PKP operations and then examines different associated aspects that influence complication rates in order to better advice clinical PKP surgery use. There were 172 vertebral bodies in total in 72 patients receiving PKP surgery at a Chinese hospital that were examined by smart medical big data for vertebral degeneration and fusion. Bone cement leakage and variations in preoperative average anterior vertebral column height, preoperative Cobb angle, and the volume of injected bone cement were considered when dividing the patients into leakage and nonleakage groups; then, we figure out what is causing the bone cement to leak. Five patients experienced lung-related problems out of the 18 vertebral bodies with bone cement leaking that were selected for study. That leakage rate was 10.5%. The differences between the two groups in terms of vertebral compression and bone cement injection were statistically significant based on a single-factor analysis. Bone cement leakage in PKP surgery has been linked to the amount of bone cement injected and whether the vertebral body's peripheral wall was injured, according to multivariate analysis. Lung-related problems are more common in patients with a prior history of illness. Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can be successfully treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty. An important risk factor for bone cement extravasation in PKP surgery is the amount of bone cement injected, as well as its viscosity and whether damage to the vertebral body's peripheral wall has occurred.

Venous Drainage of Lumbar Vertebral Bodies: Anatomic Study with Application to Kyphoplasty, Vertebroplasty, and Pedicle Screw Complications

BACKGROUND

Bone cement augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate is a reliable method for stabilizing osteoporotic compression fractures and improving fixation of pedicle screws. However, cement extrusion into the vertebral venous system can result in pulmonary cement embolism. The goal of this anatomic study was to identify the relationship between the internal/external vertebral plexus and neighboring abdominal caval system.

METHODS

Thirty-two lumbar vertebral levels were used in this study. Anterior abdominal dissection was performed to access the lumbar vertebral bodies through the peritoneal cavity, and a 16-gauge needle was placed into the center of each lumbar vertebral body at its anterior aspect. Fluoroscopy was used to confirm if the needle was correctly placed. Next, latex and/or continuous air injections were performed into each lumbar vertebral level (L1-L5). Observations confirmed if the latex or air traveled into the inferior vena cava. In addition, the spinal canal was opened to see if any latex was found to enter inside the vertebral canal in cadavers injected with the latex.

RESULTS

Latex or air was found to flow into the inferior vena cava at all the lumbar vertebral levels. The latex/air was not observed in the spinal canal in any specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

An exact knowledge of the lumbar vertebral venous anatomy is essential when procedures that could affect the vertebral venous system are involved. Its complexity and anatomic variability necessitate such an understanding to better prevent/understand possible complications associated with polymethylmethacrylate extrusion.

Cement leakage in pedicle screw augmentation: a prospective analysis of 98 patients and 474 augmented pedicle screws

OBJECTIVE Loosening and pullout of pedicle screws are well-known problems in pedicle screw fixation surgery. Augmentation of pedicle screws with bone cement, first described as early as 1975, increases the pedicle-screw interface and pullout force in osteoporotic vertebrae. The aim of the present study was to identify cement leakage and pulmonary embolism rates in a large prospective single-center series of pedicle screw augmentations. METHODS All patients who underwent cement-augmented pedicle screw placement between May 2006 and October 2010 at the authors' institution were included in this prospective cohort study. Perivertebral cement leakage and pulmonary cement embolism were evaluated with a CT scan of the area of operation and with a radiograph of the chest, respectively. RESULTS A total of 98 patients underwent placement of cement-augmented pedicle screws; 474 augmented screws were inserted in 237 vertebrae. No symptomatic perivertebral cement leakage or symptomatic pulmonary cement embolism was observed, but asymptomatic perivertebral cement leakage was seen in 88 patients (93.6%) and in 165 augmented vertebrae (73.3%). Cement leakage most often occurred in the perivertebral venous system. Clinically asymptomatic pulmonary cement embolism was found in 4 patients (4.1%). CONCLUSIONS Perivertebral cement leakage often occurs in pedicle screw augmentation, but in most cases, it is clinically asymptomatic. Cement augmentation should be performed under continuous fluoroscopy to avoid high-volume leakage. Alternative strategies, such as use of expandable screws, should be examined in more detail for patients at high risk of screw loosening.

Bony healing of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures in the elderly using percutaneously applied titanium mesh cages and a transpedicular fixation system with expandable screws

INTRODUCTION

There is a high incidence of vertebral burst fractures following low velocity trauma in the elderly. Treatment of unstable vertebral burst fractures using the same principles like in stable vertebral burst fractures may show less favourable results in terms of fracture reduction, maintenance of reduction and cement leakage. In order to address these shortcomings this study introduces cementless fixation of unstable vertebral burst fractures using internal fixators and expandable intravertebral titanium mesh cages in a one-stage procedure via minimum-invasive techniques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 16 consecutive patients (median age 76 years, range 58-94) with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures and concomitant osteoporosis were treated by an internal fixator inserted via minimum invasive technique one level above and below the fractured vertebra. Fracture reduction was achieved and maintained by transpedicular placement of two titanium mesh cages into the fractured vertebral body during the same procedure. Intra- and postoperative safety of the procedure as well as analysis of reduction quality was analysed by 3D C-arm imaging or CT, respectively. Clinical and radiographic follow-up averaged 10.4 months (range 4.5-24.5).

RESULTS

Stabilization of the collapsed vertebral body was achieved in all 16 cases without any intraoperative complication. Surgical time averaged 102 ± 6.6 minutes (71-194). The postoperative kyphotic angle (KA) and Cobb angle revealed significant improvements (KA 13.7° to 7.4°, p < 0.001; Cobb 9.6° to 6.0°, p < 0.002) with partial loss of reduction at final follow-up (KA 8.3°, Cobb 8.7°). VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) improved from 7.6 to 2.6 (p < 0.001). Adjacent fractures were not observed. One minor (malposition of pedicle screw) complication was encountered.

CONCLUSION

Cementless fixation of osteoporotic burst fractures revealed substantial pain relief, adequate maintenance of reduction and a low complication rate. Bony healing after unstable osteoporotic burst fractures is possible.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.germanctr.de DRKS00005657.

Prospective quantitative assessment of spinal range of motion before and after minimally invasive surgical treatment of vertebral body fractures

INTRODUCTION

Randomized clinical trials have generated doubts regarding the therapeutic effectiveness of spinal kyphoplasty to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with vertebral fractures. There is a paucity of data on the influence of kyphoplasty on spinal range of motion. To quantify early postoperative changes following kyphoplasty in spinal motion, a noninvasive, radiation-free measurement method was used and results related to clinical and radiological parameters.

METHODS

The study group included 30 patients with an overall number of 54 symptomatic pathological vertebral compression fractures. All patients were treated with balloon kyphoplasty. Clinical results were recorded using the visual analog scale, SF 36, Roland Morris Score and the Oswestry Disability Index, at three time points; preoperative, 2 days postoperative, and at 12 weeks postoperative. The kyphosis angle/sagittal index were determined with biplanar X-rays. Amplitude/velocity of motion in extension/flexion was measured at each time point by use of the EpionicsSPINE(©) system (Epionics Medical GmbH; Potsdam, Germany) using two external sensor strips.

RESULTS

Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans showed bone marrow edema in all vertebral bodies indicative of a recent, non-consolidated fracture. Pain and quality of life was significantly improved by kyphoplasty, both for the immediate postoperative period, as well as at 12 weeks postoperative. Radiological parameters also showed significant improvement following surgery. Total ROM did not significantly change 2 days after kyphoplasty, but amplitude and velocity were found to be increased 12 weeks postoperatively. Significant positive correlations were observed between increased range of motion and improved clinical/radiological scores.

CONCLUSION

Significant clinical and radiological improvement following kyphoplasty supports the rational for cement augmentation in patients with pathological vertebral body fractures. To the knowledge of the authors, no prior study has assessed the influence of preservation and improvement of spinal range of motion on clinical outcome following kyphoplasty.

Correlative factor analysis on the complications resulting from cement leakage after percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture

STUDY DESIGN

The correlative factors for complications resulting from cement leakage were retrospectively reviewed in 71 patients who underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlative factors affecting the complications of percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Over the past decade, percutaneous kyphoplasty has been increasingly used as treatment of choice for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. However, current literature contains less information about the correlative factors affecting the complications resulted from cement leakage.

METHODS

In all, 71 patients with 171 vertebral compression fractures who were treated by percutaneous kyphoplasty in the department of spine surgery at our medical center were identified from the registry and were retrospectively reviewed. The treatment efficacy was determined by the assessment of change in vertebral body height, Cobb angle, visual analog scale and Oswestry functional score between preoperative, postoperative, and the latest follow-up. Complications were recorded and associated risk factors were determined and analyzed.

RESULTS

All patients had immediate and significant improvement in back pain after being treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty. Cement leakage occurred in 17 (9.94%) out of 171 vertebral bodies, including 7 paravertebral leaks, 6 leaks into intervertebral space, 3 leaks into channel of needling insertion, and 1 spinal canal leak. Four patients (5.63%) developed pulmonary complications postoperatively, one of them with confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary embolism directly caused by cement leakage. During the follow-up, we found 9 recurrence vertebral fractures in 6 patients (8.45%), including 6 adjacent vertebral bodies. Univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in preoperative vertebral body height, injected cement volume, and vertebral body wall incompetence between the cement leakage group and no cement leakage group (P<0.05). In contrast, there is no significant difference in the preoperative Cobb angle, freshness of vertebral fracture, location of operative vertebrae, and operative approach between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the injected cement volume and vertebral body wall incompetence were the predominant variables associated with the complications resulting from cement leakage. The patients who had a history of pulmonary diseases were prone to develop lung-related complications after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The cement viscosity, injected cement volume, vertebral body wall incompetence, and a history of pulmonary diseases were the factors affecting the complications resulting from cement leakage. The recognition of these risk factors is helpful in efforts to improve surgical technique to reduce the risk of complications after being treated by percutaneous kyphoplasty.

[Kyphoplasty in osteoporotic spinal fractures]

Kyphoplasty has been the standard procedure for osteoporotic fractures for more than 5 years but the material costs are still very high. The aim of this study was to clarify whether pain reduction could be achieved without increasing the rate of new fractures and also in what areas costs could possibly be reduced. From 15.01.2007 until 15.01.2008, a total of 100 patients with 126 recent osteoporotic spinal fractures were treated by kyphoplasty with an average operation time of 38 min and follow-up times up to 12 months. During this follow-up period 15 lateral and 2 dorsal cement leakages remained asymptomatic and 1 dorsal leakage caused an incomplete paraparesis, which was finally cured completely. All patients were very content and pain measured on the visual analogous scale could be lowered from 8.0 before the operation to 2.7 points after the operation. With material costs of 3,056 Euro, there were additional operation costs of 247 Euro per case. The average effective weight was 2.84. On average 7,810 Euro returns could be achieved, deducting material and operation costs left 4,507 Euro per case. More than 40% of gains were reinvested in operation and material costs. Within 12 months 6 new fractures occurred despite medicinal prophylactic treatment which could also be successfully treated by kyphoplasty. The average visual analogous scale after 12 months was 2.1 points.Kyphoplasty still causes financial deficits due to high material costs, however, patients benefit from a reduction of pain.