ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of a unilateral balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients, 23 cases of osteoporotic VCFs who failed to respond to nonoperative treatments and who were confirmed by a consultant radiologist, were enrolled in this study. Times between injury and operation varied from 2 weeks to 2 months. All patients except two (18 female, 2 male patients), were female, and mean patient age was 71.7 (58-82) years. Follow-ups were conducted at least 12 months (12-27, mean 18.3). All patients underwent unilateral balloon kyphoplasty. Roentgenographic assessments were perform to evaluate fractured vertebra restoration and reduction loss. A ten-point visual analogue scale was used to measure pre- and postoperative pain severity. RESULTS: Preoperative anterior, middle and posterior heights of vertebra bodies were 57.8%, 66.1% and 85.3% of normal at presentation and these increased to 76.2%, 80.1%, 88.7% respectively at immediately after operation and at last follow-up, heights of each portion were 74.4%, 78.6%, 87.3%. Mean preoperative kyphotic angles of 17.6 degrees at presentation improved to 8.9 degrees at immediately after operations and to 9.1 degrees at last follow-ups. Loss of reduction was 1.8%, 1.5%, 1.4% and 0.2 degrees. Mean pain scores were 8.5 before surgery, 2.5 immediately after operations and 2.7 at last follow-ups. Statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in kyphotic angle (p=0.03) but VAS scores were no different (p=0.056). Anterior, middle and posterior body height was decreased with a statistical significance between two period (p<0.001). PMMA leakage occurred in 3 cases, but they did not cause neurologic deficits. CONSLUSION: Balloon kyphoplasty using a unilateral approach is a good treatment method for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and an alternative to the substitute bilateral approach.