Abstract

Although percutaneous vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty have improved the management of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), these techniques still suffer from inherent disadvantages and complications, such as cement leakage. This prospective pilot study evaluated the clinical outcomes of 15 OVCF patients treated with a new ­technique, the Crosstrees® pod kyphoplasty (C-pod kypho­plasty). This is in fact a balloon kyphoplasty, where the balloon is filled with cement, then opened and removed. The VAS for back pain decreased significantly from 8.9?±?1.4 preoperatively to 2.1?±?1.3 at 24hrs postoperatively, and to 2.2?±?1.5 at final follow-up (p?=?0.001). Likewise, the ODI score decreased significantly from 86.1?±?8.7 preoperatively to 30.5?±?7.5 at 24?h, and to 32.8?±?8.3 at final follow up (p?=?0.001). The average vertebral height increased significantly from 14.50?±?1.34 mm preoperatively to 23.20?± 1.12?mm 24?h postoperatively and to 22.82?±?0.85 mm at final follow-up (p?=?0.002). The kyphotic angle ­decreased significantly from preoperatively (28.50?± 1.85°) to 24?h postoperatively (11.30?±?1.40°) and to final follow-up (12.48?±?0.70°) (p?=?0.005). Cement leakage, infection, pulmonary embolism or nerve injury were not seen. The C-pod kyphoplasty may be an effective minimally invasive procedure to treat OVCFs, with a decreased complication rate compared with vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty.