[Application of improved injecting tube in percutaneous kyphoplasty through unipedicular puncturing]

To research the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) by improved injecting tube through unipedicular puncturing.

Between January 2012 and Junuary 2016, 60 cases (68 vertebrae) of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) were treated. PKP was performed through unipedicular puncturing with routine injecting tube in 30 cases (34 vertebrae, routine group), and with improved injecting tube in 30 cases (34 vertebrae, improved group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, disease duration, fracture level, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), or vertebral height between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, the volume of bone cement injected, preoperative and postoperative VAS, and preoperative and postoperative vertebral height, and postoperative distribution coefficient of bone cement were recorded and compared between 2 groups.

Good healing of puncture points was achieved in 2 groups after PKP, and no serious complication occurred. There was no significant difference in operation time and the volum of bone cement injected between 2 groups ( t=0.851, P=0.399; t=1.672, P=0.101). Bone cement leakage was observed in 2 cases of 2 groups respectively. The distribution coefficient of bone cement in routine group was significantly less than that in improved group ( t=13.049, P=0.000). All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 19 months). The postoperative VAS and vertebral height were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in VAS between at 2 days after operation and at last follow-up, in vertebral height between at 2 days after operation and at 1 year after operation, and between 2 groups after operation ( P>0.05). X-ray films showed vertebral compression fractures in 6 cases of routine group and in 1 case of improved group during follow-up.

PKP by improved injecting tube through unipedicular puncturing can improve the distribution of bone cement, restore the height and strength of vertebral body, and reduce the incidence of re-fracture.