Effect of different cement distribution in bilateral and unilateral Percutaneous vertebro plasty on the clinical efficacy of vertebral compression fractures

Clinical effect analysis of unilateral percutaneous vertebral cement distribution in the repair of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures

BACKGROUND

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures and their complications pose increasing risks to the elderly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) by assessing postoperative cement distribution.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the impact of cement distribution on the efficacy of vertebral compression fracture repair to provide effective preventive and therapeutic measures, prevent postoperative vertebral re-fracture, and improve surgical outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 170 patients who underwent unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty at our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected. Based on the postoperative X-ray cement distribution morphology, they were divided into the good distribution group (n = 87) and the poor dispersion group (n = 83). The basic information of patients, surgery-related indicators including operation time, total hospitalization costs, postoperative hospitalization time, cement injection volume, visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for back pain, vertebral height restoration rate, local kyphotic angle of the vertebra, and incidence of re-fracture of injured and adjacent vertebrae were compared between the two groups, and the follow-up results of all patients were recorded.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, fracture days, menopausal age of female patients, bone density T value, medical history, smoking history, alcohol history, and surgical segments between the two groups (P > 0.05). The VAS scores for back pain at 1 month and 1 year postoperatively were significantly lower in the good distribution group than in the poor dispersion group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The good distribution group had a significantly lower incidence of re-fracture of injured vertebrae and overall fracture incidence than the poor dispersion group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in operation time, cement dosage, cement leakage, postoperative hospitalization time, adjacent vertebral fractures, postoperative vertebral height restoration rate, VAS scores for back pain at preoperative and 1 week postoperative, and ODI at preoperative, 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year postoperative between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with the poor dispersion group, patients in the cement distribution group achieved better short-term clinical efficacy, and long-term prognosis effects are still under observation. Moreover, the cement good distribution group significantly reduced the incidence of re-fracture of injured vertebrae and overall fracture incidence, thereby achieving better surgical outcomes.

Unilateral and Bilateral Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Thoracolumbar Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture with Distant Lumbosacral Pain: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have found that percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) can effectively improve the local pain (LP) of the affected vertebra caused by thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) regardless of unilateral or bilateral puncture, but there are few reports on whether it is equally effective for the accompanying distant lumbosacral pain. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical efficacy of unilateral or bilateral PVP in the treatment of thoracolumbar OVCF with distant lumbosacral pain.

METHODS

The clinical data of patients with single-stage OVCF treated with PVP in our hospital from March 2019 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different intraoperative puncture methods, the whole cohort of patients was divided into unilateral puncture group (52 cases) and bilateral puncture group (40 cases). Preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess the degree of LP in the fractured vertebrae and distant lumbosacral pain, respectively. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate functional impairment. At the last follow-up, the proportion of patients who achieved the minimum clinical importance difference and acceptable symptom status on these measures was evaluated.

RESULTS

The average follow-up time of the 92 patients was 20.1 ± 7.6 months, and the LP, lumbosacral pain VAS score and ODI index at 3 days after surgery, and the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before surgery, with statistical differences (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference between the above indexes at 3 days after surgery and the last follow-up (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in LP, lumbosacral pain VAS scores and ODI scores between unilateral puncture group and bilateral puncture group at different time points after surgery (P > 0.05). At the last follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in the minimum clinical significance of LP, lumbosacral pain VAS score and ODI index and the rate of patients achieving acceptable symptom status between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PVP can not only improve the LP and ODI index of the responsible vertebra of OVCF in the thoracolumbar region, but also improve the accompanying distant lumbosacral pain symptoms, and the puncture approach does not affect the improvement of postoperative pain and function.

Impact of Intravertebral Clefts Sclerosis on Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Efficacy in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of intravertebral cleft sclerosis on the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).

METHODS

We analyzed 68 OVCF patients with intravertebral clefts treated with PVP from January 2020 to June 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on computed tomography findings: intravertebral clefts sclerosis (IVCs, 36 cases) and intravertebral clefts nonsclerosis (IVCns, 32 cases). Preoperative data included gender, age, bone mineral density, fractured vertebrae distribution, and disease duration. Excluding those with contraindications, all underwent PVP. Operation time, cement injection volume, leakage rate, and distribution patterns were recorded. Outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale scores, oswestry disability index, anterior vertebral height, and Cobb angle preoperatively, and at 2 days and 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

The IVCs group had a longer disease duration (P < 0.05). No significant differences in operation time, cement volume, or leakage rate were observed between groups (P > 0.05). Cement distribution was mass-like in IVCs and sponge-like in IVCns (P < 0.05). Both groups showed significant improvements postoperatively (P < 0.05), but IVCns had better recovery in anterior vertebral height, Cobb angle, and oswestry disability index (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IVCs affect cement distribution and recovery outcomes, with IVCns achieving better results. Early treatment is advised for OVCF with intravertebral clefts.

A novel unilateral extrapedicular approach applied to percutaneous vertebral augmentation to treat thoracic and lumbar Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To design and apply a novel puncture method, named P TO P technique, and to evaluate its efficacy and safety.

METHOD

The data of patients treated with PVA in medical institution from January 2020 to December 2022 were reviewed and analyzed. The degree of pain relief and recovery from daily activities were evaluated using VAS and LAS scores, and radiological parameters were evaluated using local kyphosis angle and excellent cement distribution. Complications such as cement leakage and recurrent vertebral fractures were also recorded.

RESULTS

157 patients with thoracolumbar OVCF were successfully treated with novel puncture techniques. All postoperative clinical and radiological parameters significantly decreased in all patients, except for an increase in local kyphosis angle at the last follow-up compared to postoperative. All other above indicators remained statistically significant at the last follow-up compared to postoperative improvement. Except for 2 patients with poor cement distribution, the remaining 155 patients successfully achieved satisfactory results in unilateral puncture and bilateral cement distribution, achieving an excellent rate of 98.73%. In addition, 18 cases (11.46%) of cement leakage occurred during the operation, fortunately none of them were uncomfortable. During the postoperative follow-up period, 4 cases (2.55%) of recurrent fractures occurred. No other serious complications such as neurologic or named vascular injuries occurred.

CONCLUSION

The application of P TO P technology in thoracolumbar OVCF patients is safe and effective. It can not only reduce pain and quickly recover daily activities, but also achieve the perfect effect of unilateral puncture and bilateral cement filling.

Enhanced bone cement distribution in percutaneous vertebroplasty using a curved guide wire: a propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) severely affect the quality of life in the aged population. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) alleviates pain and stabilizes vertebrae, but suboptimal bone cement distribution can cause complications. Hence, this study aimed to clarify whether a new technique for PVP, using a curved guide wire, enhances the distribution of bone cement and improves clinical outcomes in patients with OVCF.

METHODS

Patients with single-segment OVCF underwent PVP or curved guide wire percutaneous vertebroplasty (C-PVP). Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to balanced the baseline characteristics. The primary outcomes were the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. The secondary outcomes included assessments of bone cement distribution, bone cement injection volume, radiological parameters, and general clinical results. Additionally, Complications and adverse events were documented.

RESULTS

After PSM analysis, each group comprised 54 patients, which significantly reduced baseline differences. The C-PVP group showed better clinical outcomes compared to the traditional PVP group. One month after surgery, the C-PVP group had significantly lower VAS and ODI scores (p < 0.001). These improvements persisted at six months and the final follow-up. Additionally, bone cement distribution scores were better (p < 0.001), injection volume was higher (p = 0.03), leakage was less frequent (p = 0.02), and adjacent vertebral fractures occurred less frequently (p = 0.04) in the C-PVP group. Radiological parameters and overall clinical outcomes revealed no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of curved guide wire in PVP significantly improves bone cement distribution and injection volume, resulting in better clinical efficacy in patients with OVCF.

Biomechanical study between percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with cement pedicle plasty improves vertebral biomechanical stability: A finite element analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the biomechanical effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with cement pedicle plasty (PVCPP) on the unstable osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) through finite element (FE) analysis. The study compares the biomechanical stability of finite element models between percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with cement pedicle plasty.

METHODS

Two patients with unstable OVFs underwent computed tomography (CT) examination at the thoracolumbar vertebral body levels, respectively. The CT images were reconstructed into three-dimensional finite element models to simulate stress conditions across six dimensions and to evaluate the vertebral von Mises stress before and after bone cement reinforcement.

RESULTS

The study found that stress distribution differed between groups mainly at the pedicle base. In the surgical vertebral bodies, the maximum stress in the PVP group decreased during flexion and left bending, while it increased in other states. In the PVCPP group, all maximum stresses decreased. In the inferior vertebral bodies, the maximum stress in the PVP group generally increased, while it decreased in the PVCPP group. In the superior vertebral bodies, postoperatively, the maximum stress in the PVP group generally increased, while it almost remained unchanged in the PVCPP group. PVP group had higher cement stress and displacement.

CONCLUSION

PVCPP is an effective treatment method for patients with unstable OVFs. It can quickly relieve pain and enhance the stability of the three columns, thereby reducing the risk of some complications.

Biomechanical Study of Porcine Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture Model Strengthened by Trajectory-Adjustable Bone Cement Filling Device

OBJECTIVE

To establish a porcine osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture model and compare the impact of unilateral vertebroplasty using trajectory-adjustable bone cement filling device to traditional surgical tools on vertebral biomechanics.

METHODS

Twenty-four fresh adult porcine vertebrae were used to establish an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture model. The specimens were divided into 4 groups (A, B, C, and D), each consisting of 6 vertebrae. Group A served as the control group without vertebral augmentation (percutaneous vertebroplasty [PVP]). Patients in Group B underwent unilateral PVP using conventional surgical tools, while patients in Group C underwent bilateral PVP using the same tools. In Group D, patients underwent unilateral PVP with a trajectory-adjustable bone cement filling device. Postoperative X-ray examinations were performed to assess cement distribution and leakage. The compressive stiffness and strength of each spinal unit were evaluated using an electronic mechanical testing machine.

RESULTS

In Groups B, C, and D, the percentages of total cement distribution area were 32.83 ± 3.64%, 45.73 ± 2.27%, and 47.43 ± 3.51%, respectively. The values were significantly greater in Groups C and D than in Group B (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between Groups C and D (P > 0.05). The stiffness after vertebral augmentation in Groups B, C, and D was 1.04 ± 0.23 kN/mm, 1.11 ± 0.16 KN/mm, and 1.15 ± 0.13 KN/mm, respectively, which were significantly greater than that in Group A (0.46 ± 0.06 kN/mm; P < 0.05). The ultimate compressive strengths in Groups B, C, and D were 2.53 ± 0.21 MPa, 4.09 ± 0.30 MPa, and 3.99 ± 0.29 MPa, respectively, all surpassing Group A's strength of 1.41 ± 0.31 MPa. Additionally, both Groups C and D demonstrated significantly greater ultimate compressive strengths than Group B did (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A trajectory-adjustable bone cement filling device was proven to be an effective approach for unilateral vertebroplasty, restoring the biomechanical properties of fractured vertebrae. Compared to traditional surgical tools, this approach is superior to unilateral puncture and yields outcomes comparable to those of bilateral puncture. Additionally, the device ensures a centrally symmetrical distribution pattern of bone cement, leading to improved morphology.