Kyphoplasty: A Comprehensive Review of Procedural Techniques, Patient Selection, and Clinical Outcomes in the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures

Seyyed Mohammad  Mousavi; Abbas  Rahimian

doi:10.18502/jost.v12i3.22001

Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi Student of Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Trans-Disciplinary Applied Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abbas Rahimian Spine Surgery Fellowship, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v12i3.22001

Keywords: Kyphoplasty; Compression Fractures; Osteoporosis; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Bone Cements

Abstract

Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive surgical technique designed to restore vertebral body height and reduce the associated kyphotic deformity. This intervention is typically performed following unsuccessful conservative therapy. Kyphoplasty must be conducted in the prone position under C-arm fluoroscopic guidance and usually employs local anesthetic techniques by trained practitioners. The procedure involves the percutaneous insertion of an inflatable balloon tamp within the fractured vertebral body in order to restore vertebral height, followed by the injection of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement to stabilize the fracture and increase vertebral stiffness by over 50%. Kyphoplasty is a practical therapeutic option for treating painful vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), considering its typically minor and infrequent complications. This study aims to review the best procedural techniques, as well as appropriate patient selection, to achieve the optimal outcome.