Treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with percutaneous kyphoplasty: a report of 196 cases.

The incidence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) is increased recently. Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has recently been shown to have a curative effect on OVCF. Unfortunately, related complications arising from PKP cannot be ignored, such as cement leaks, fever, and intercostal neuralgia. This study aimed to investigate the common complications of PKP in the treatment of OVCF patients and analyze the causes and assess prevention and control measures. A total of 196 patients (204 vertebrae) underwent PKP procedures at the Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen Sixth People's Hospital, Guangdong, China, from June 2004 to August 2010. The data on incidence rates of the various complications were compiled. All patients were successfully operated without death, paraplegia, or pulmonary embolism. Incidence of various complications resulting from different types of bone cement leakage was 27.45 %, including 0.51 % for postoperative elevated fever, 4.08 % for intercostal neuralgia, 2.55 % for trailing of bone cement, 0.51 % for refracture at adjacent vertebrae, and 0.51 % for cerebrospinal fluid leakage. These results suggest that PKP is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of OVCF, resulting in limited trauma with satisfactory curative effects. Skillful mastery of this technology will help reduce the incidence rate of complications.