Abstract
Purpose: To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a unilateral transpedicular approach with those of standard bilateral transpedicular vertebroplasty.
Materials and methods: Retrospective review of vertebroplasty yielded 19 vertebrae in 16 patients that were treated with a standard bilateral approach and 24 vertebrae in 21 patients who were treated with unilateral transpedicular approach. Clinical outcomes, including pain relief and change in pain medication requirements, were compared in the two groups by using chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test.
Results: All patients had reported a high reduction in pain in both groups with similar clinical outcomes.
Conclusions: Use of a unilateral approach in percutaneus vertebroplasty allows filling of both vertebral halves from a single puncture site with no statistically significant difference in clinical outcome from that of a bilateral transpeduncolar vertebroplasty; this technique permits a shorter operating time with lower rate of complications.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ariella Neustadt at Studio EGA, Professional Congress Organisers, Viale Tiziano, 19 - 00196, Rome - Italy.
