Modified vertebroplasty using a curved probe: technique and preliminary results

One of the main limitations of vertebroplasty is the excessive pressure required for injection of sufficient cement into a vertebral body. Kyphoplasty can be used to reduce injection pressure by making a void with a balloon tamp. The author presents a technique of making small voids to reduce cement delivery pressure during vertebroplasty that involves a simple modification of the conventional technique.

The author performed this modified vertebroplasty in 48 patients with an acute vertebral compression fracture. Small voids and micro-connections with the fracture gaps in the vertebral body were created using a curved probe placed into the vertebral body through a working cannula. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were measured preoperatively and at 1 week and 3 months postoperatively. Forty patients with osteoporotic VCFs were followed for a mean period of 6months.

All 48 patients showed a significant reduction in visual analogue pain scores at 1 week and 3 months postoperatively versus preoperative levels (p<0.001, respectively). No device-related complications or major cement leakages that caused postoperative neurological deficits or pulmonary complications were noted.

The described modification of vertebroplasty involving the creation of small cavities using a curved probe appears to control cement injection easily during the procedures and minimize cement leakage-related complications.