Treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with percutaneous vertebroplasty under local anesthesia: clinical and radiological results.

BACKGROUND Vertebroplasty (VP) is a commonly used method for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF). The aim of this study is to analyze retrospectively the efficacy of PV in symptomatic osteoprotic spine fractures. METHODS Patients with symptomatic osteoporotic spine fractures were included in our study. Visual analog scale and demographic characteristics were used for clinical examination, local wedge angle and the central height of the vertebral body were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS 95 patients (72 female, 23 male) were included and 118 level vertebroplasty were performed. There was statistical significance in the differences of preoperative VAS scores compared to postoperative first day, first month and sixth month. The radiologic assessment of the mean local wedge angle correction at the postoperative sixth month, was 13.9 and mean increase of mid height of vertebral body was 7.9 mm, but it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION VP is at an important point as a minimally invasive method, that provides rapid pain relief in symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fractures and that prevents the patient being bed-dependent. It is a reliable surgical method, being an alternative to open surgery with minimal complications in patients with comorbidities, which can be arapidley applied and decreases the potential spinal deformity after the fracture and prevents the progression of deformity.