Abstract
Introduction
This study compares outcomes of vertebroplasty(VP) and kyphoplasty(KP) in 125 consecutive female Asian patients above 65 years with L1 osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Methods
57 and 68 patients underwent VP and KP respectively from 2004 to 2008. Outcomes were measured prospectively at pre-operation, 1 month, 6 months and 2 years post-operation by blinded assessors. Radiographic outcome: Anterior, middle and posterior vertebral heights of the L1 vertebral body Functional outcome: Short-Form 36(SF-36) score, Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) score for back pain
Results
There was greater improvement of anterior and middle vertebral heights immediately post-surgery for the KP group as compared to the VP group(P<0.001). At 2 years post-surgery, the KP group had better maintenance of L1 vertebral body height with percentage loss of 16.4%, 17.3% and 8.84% of anterior, middle and posterior vertebral height respectively as compared to the VP group who had a greater loss of 29.2%, 42.3% and 17% respectively(p<0.001). Back pain improved post-operatively in both groups with no significant difference in VAS back pain score between the two groups at each follow-up time point(P>0.05). SF-36 score improved post-operatively in both groups (P=0.001). At 2 years post-surgery, the physical functioning domain of SF-36 was better in the KP group (P=0.01)
Conclusion
KP provides better restoration and maintenance of anterior and middle vertebral heights with better physical function outcome”
