Objectives: The authors have performed a single-balloon kyphoplasty using far-lateral extrapedicular approach in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The authors introduce its surgical technique and early clinical results.
Methods: Clinical outcomes were determined by comparison of preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale score. Radiographic assessment included vertebral height restoration rate (%) and correction of kyphosis.
Results: Thirty-one consecutive patients with 37 vertebrae were treated during a 5-month period and followed up for more than 6 months. Twenty-nine of 31 patients (95%) improved the visual analog scale pain score postoperatively (P<0.001). The average anterior body height was 60.85 +/- 14.27% of estimated height before procedure and 81.86 +/- 12.78% of estimated height after procedure (P<0.007). The average middle body height was 63.14 +/- 14.42% of estimated height before procedure and 80.94 +/- 18.44% of estimated height after procedure (P<0.001). The mean height restoration ratio was 31.72 +/- 20.98%. The kyphotic deformity was corrected from 16.06 +/- 5.24 degree to 8.84 +/- 3.89 degree (P<0.001). There was no surgery and device-related complications.
Conclusions: Single-balloon kyphoplasty using far-lateral extrapedicular approach is less invasive procedure that produces comparable therapeutic effects with the conventional 2-balloon technique.