[Percutaneous vertebroplasty with only few complications--a retrospective study].
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) was introduced in 1984 and has proved to be valuable in the treatment of painful vertebral lesions such as haemangiomas, metastasis, and osteoporotic fractures. According to the literature, the operation provides pain relief with only few and harmless complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate our perioperative experiences with special reference to the safety of the procedure.


METHODS
A total of 156 procedures were performed in 148 patients with osteoporotic fractures. Both acute and chronic fractures were treated. All patients had plain radiographs of the spine. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bone scans were performed in case of old fractures or more than one fracture in patients with acute back-pain. At follow-up after three and 12 months, plain radiographs were performed in conjunction with physical examinations and interviews. Data were collected retrospectively.


RESULTS
We identified 40.4% cemental leaks (confidence interval (CI) 32.6; 48.5). None of these resulted in neurological symptoms. One patient experienced shortness of breath after the procedure, one had atrial fibrillation, and one patient had an iatrogenic pneumothorax. In all, the frequency of symptomatic complications was 1.9% (CI -0.4; 5.5).


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that PVP is a safe procedure with only few symptomatic complications when performed under local anaesthesia and by a specialist in transpedicular approach.
Rousing
Rikke
R
Odense Universitetshospital, Ortopaedkirurgisk Afdeling, Rygcenteret.
Andersen
Mikkel Ø
MØ
Jespersen
Stig M
SM
Thomsen
Karsten
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
D001843:Bone Cements