Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture and Single Balloon Extrapedicular Kyphoplasty: Findings and Technical Considerations.

Objective: To evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of balloon kyphoplasty and to endorse the unilateral single balloon extrapedicular kyphoplasty as practically more feasible and safer method in comparison to the conventional methods.

Methods: Totally, 81 patients were presented to our center with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Among these, 59 patients (61 vertebrae) were enrolled with stable wedge osteoporotic compression fracture. Pre-operatively percentage of vertebral height loss and kyphotic angle were calculated and single balloon extrapedicular kyphoplasty was performed in all cases.

Results: Postoperatively, anterior vertebral height improved to 79.61% of normal subjects. In our study, the mean segmental kyphosis correction following balloon kyphoplasty was 14.27°. Overall incidence of cement leak in our study was 15.25%.

Conclusion: Although we encountered the few difficulties, but this technique holds the safety and feasibility measures. Furthermore, it is effective in restoring anterior vertebral height, alignment and angle of kyphosis.