Vesselplasty using the Mesh-Hold™ bone-filling container for the treatment of pathological vertebral fractures due to osteolytic metastases: A retrospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical benefits and complications of vesselplasty using the Mesh-Hold™ bone-filling container in the treatment of vertebral osteolytic fractures.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with vertebral osteolytic pathological fractures treated by vesselplasty at Sichuan Cancer Hospital between 09/2014 and 01/2018. VAS (Visual analog scale) scores and ODI (Oswestry disability index) were recorded routinely 1 day preoperative, at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperation, and at the last follow-up. V1 (The of bone cement injection volume) and V2 (vertebral body osteolytic volume) were evaluated, and the R (ratio) of bone cement filling was obtained according to the V1/V2.

Results: Sixty-three patients were included (105 segments with osteolytic fractures). The amount of bone cement for each vertebra was 2.4-5.2 ml (3.1 ± 0.7 ml). The ratio (R) of bone cement filling was not related to pain relief or functional recovery (all P > 0.05).The VAS scores and ODI at different time points after surgery were decreased compared with before surgery (all P < 0.05). The bone cement leakage rate was 16.2 % (17/105). The follow-up was 4-30 months (mean of 13 ± 6 months). Thirty patients had died by the last follow-up, all from their cancer.

Conclusions: The Mesh-Hold™ bone-filling container in the treatment of vertebral fractures induced by osteolytic metastases could reduce pain, improve function, and reduce the bone cement leakage rate in the process of vesselplasty.