Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Spinal augmentation surgery for compression fractures of the spine is divided into two main : vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.

Vertebroplasty Procedure

The procedure known as a vertebroplasty is generally performed with the patient sedated but awake, in an X-ray room or operating room.

In vertebroplasty:

The patient sells prone, which may improve overall vertebral alignment compared to standing if the fracture is relatively acute and unstable.

A thin needle cannula is placed into the vertebra using X-ray guidance.

Bone cement is injected under pressure directly into the fractured vertebra.

Once in position, the semen will solidify in about 10 minutes, freezing the fractured spinal fragments and immediately providing stability.

In this vertebra augmentation procedure, material is placed directly into the fracture site to try to stabilize the site. There is no processing of the spine from the inside using the instrument.

The injected cement moves between the fracture fragments and binds them together in position.

Kyphoplasty procedure

The procedure known as balloon kyphoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia in an operating room, although kyphoplasty can also be performed under local anaesthesia.

In kyphoplasty:

The patient applies face down (face down) on the operating table.

A balloon catheter, similar to that used in cardiac angioplasty, is guided into the vertebrae using X-ray guidance, and inflated with fluid under pressure.

When the balloon is inflated, it can help actively restore collapsed spine due to fractures and can also repair abnormal incisions in fractured vertebrae.

Once the balloon is maximally inflated, it is deflated and released, and the cavity created is filled with thicker bone cement under less pressure than in vertebroplasty.

The cement then hardens in place, with the goal of maintaining collapse and wedge correction.

Kyphoplasty may be especially helpful when there is severe collapse of a fractured or pinched vertebra, with more collapse in the front of the spine than back causing the spine to tend to tilt forward. By repairing the incisions, kyphoplasty can help restore the spine to a more normal position and prevent severe kyphotic ("hunchback") deformities of the spine.

In someone who has had several previous wedging fractures, kyphoplasty can prevent further aggravation of the deformity.

New devices and spinal augmentation procedures have been developed to aid fracture reduction and cavity creation, so balloon catheters are not the only option for kyphoplasty. Permanent non-cemented implants can also be used to help stabilize and correct vertebral collapse.