Balloon-related complications and technical failures in kyphoplasty for vertebral fractures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our aim was to describe the immediate or early complications and technical failures occurring during balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) procedures and attributable to balloon inflation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective review of all consecutive kyphoplasty procedures performed in our institution from May 2005 to October 2006. Fifty-one patients were treated by BKP at 75 spinal levels, and 137 vertebroplasties were performed as well. RESULTS Several recurrent complications or procedural failures were observed during BKP: cortical or endplate fracture by balloon expansion (4 vertebrae), partial vertebral re-collapse after deflation (4 vertebrae), balloon rupture during inflation (5 vertebrae), and transient hyperalgia after the procedure (11 patients, 27.5%). CONCLUSIONS Several symptomatic or asymptomatic complications and technical failures can occur during BKP. Some modifications of the usual kyphoplasty technique may decrease the frequency of these complications.