Analysis of the complications of percutaneous vertebroplasty / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To analyze the causes of complication following percutaneous vertebroplasty and to find out the methods on its prevention and treatment.[Method]Complications of 140 patients (233 vertebral bodies) performed percutaneous vertebroplasty from August 2002 to July 2006 and long-term complications and its correlative prognosis after followed-up 7-52 months (average 28.4 months were observed and analyzed.[Result]Sixty-one patients of 140 cases showed complications (43.6%).Forty-five of the 61 patients with complications revealed with leakage of bone cement,2 with transient low blood pressure or lethargy,3 with dyspneic respiration or slight cough or chest discomfort,1 with subcutaneous herniation.In 12 patients complicated with leakage of bone cement,10 complained aggravation of pain,1 of radiating pain of back and low limb,1 with incomplete paraplegia. The 11 patients complicated with various postoperative pain induced by bone-cement leakage were complete recovery after treatment with anti-imflamatory analgetics orally for 3-7 days.One patient with incomplete paraplagia caused by leakage of bone cement demonstrated satisfactory walking function recovery but still remained slight disability of lower limbs after 26 months by treatment of laminectomy decompression,with drawing of bone cement combined with anti-biotics,dehydration agent,hormone,nerve-nourisling agent and 3-month acupuncture. Two patients with transient low blood pressure or lethargy were treated and recovery after fluid infusion and 30-60 oxygen taking. Three patients with dypneic respiration or slight cough or chest discomfort but without abnormality on radiographs were convalesced after treatment of fluid infusion,taking oxygen and anti-biotics for 3-5 days.The subcutaneous homotoma of 1 patient was absorbed 7 days later.Ten patients complicated with new adjacent vertebral body fracture 1-12 months postoperatively were healed after conservative treatment of PVP operation.[Conclusion]Complications after percutaneous vertebroplasty are not uncommon(43.6%).Leakage of bone cement is most common complication. Strict pre-operation plan and improving operation skill are the most important preventive measures.