VERTEBROPLASTY – NEW OPERATIVE PROCEDURE FOR OSTEOPOROTIC VERTEBRAL FRACTURES

Background. Vertebroplasty is a new minimally invasive operative method used for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The aim of vertebroplasty is to diminish pain and to gain the mechanical stability of fractured vertebra.Methods and results. From June to November 2001 vertebroplasty was performed on eleven vertebrae in seven patients. The mean age of patients at the operation was 49 years (24 to 63 years). The mean time interval from injury to operation was 13 days (1 to 30 days). Preoperatively the mean level of pain according to visual analogue scale was 6 (4 to 9), 24 hours after operation the mean pain level was 0 (0 do 1) and three months after the operation 0 (od 0 do 1). In one patient minor leak of bone cement occured into the spinal canal during the procedure. No consequent nevrologic deficit was noted.Conclusions. In all our patients vertebroplasty was followed by total resolution of pain inside the first 24 hours. In the hands of experienced spinal surgeon vertebroplasty proved to be a safe method which enables the patient to proceed with an active lifestyle despite osteoporotic fractures of vertebrae.