Double-Balloon Kyphoplasty Results in Better Radiographic Outcomes Than a Single-Balloon Kyphoplasty in Treating Osteo-Porotic Spinal Fractures

• Published in: Journal of clinical medicine Vol. 11; no. 12; p. 3407
• Main Authors: Lotan, Raphael, Haimovich, Yaron, Schorr, Louis, Goldstein, Adam Lee, Hershkovich, Oded
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 14.06.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Analgesics; Back surgery; Clinical medicine; Fractures; Osteoporosis; Pain; Patient positioning; Radiation; Spine; Surgery; Transplants & implants; Vertebrae; United States > US
• ISSN: 2077-0383; 2077-0383
• DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123407

Background: Studies have found that unilateral and bilateral kyphoplasty have comparable clinical outcomes. Only a few studies have compared the radiographic results of using unilateral vs. simultaneous bilateral approaches. We aimed to examine and compare the radiographic results of unilateral (UKP) vs. bilateral simultaneous double-balloon kyphoplasty (DKP) for treating symptomatic vertebral compression fractures (VCF). Methods: A retrospective cohort of all patients treated for VCF by DKP and UKP over five years in a single medical center. From 2009 to 2012, we routinely performed UKP; from 2012, DKP was the routine due to potential benefits in vertebral realignment. We evaluated pre- and post-surgical fracture characteristics including vertebral height, sagittal and coronal Cobb angle, and fracture reduction. Statistical analysis included a t-test for independent variables and Pearson’s correlation. Results: The study cohort consisted of 81 patients (75.8 years ± 10.86) who underwent surgery, with a total of 119 vertebras. We performed 89 UKP on fractured vertebras and 30 DKP on 30 vertebrae. The UKP average fluoroscopy radiation exposure was 15.8 mGy (±11.5) per level compared to 11.2 mGy (±8.7) for DKP, p = 0.03. DKP showed significant fracture reduction, 2.8 degrees of Cobb angle, equaling the patient positioning effect on fracture reduction. Conclusion: DKP results in better fracture reduction than UKP, and equals the effect of patient positioning without increased radiation exposure or adverse events.