An Analysis of Early Complications after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Elderly People

ABSTRACT

With the growing interests in the treatment of osteoporosis. percutaneous Vertebroplasty aimed at stabilizing and preventing progressiv eosteoporotic vertebral compression fracture has been tried. We analyzed 60 cases of vertebroplasty for senile osteporotic vertebvral compression fractures performed from April to August, 1999 at Wooridul Spine Hospital. We observed dramatic pain relief in almost cases within 6~72 hours(mean, 36 hours). Mean value of the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) decreased from 8.3 to 2.8 after the procudure. The Operative complications were as follows ; epidural leakage(70 levels). Paraparesis(2 cases), Paravertebral venous leakage, Intradiscal leakage, foraminal leakage transient hypotension and transient apnea. This procedure is relatively safe and effective treatment modality for osteoporotic compression fracture. But much attention is required in selection of the cases such as severe crushing fracture, suspicions cortical fracture of the endplate and bursting fracture. The viscosity of the material and avoidance of rapid injection were important in preventing complications.