Vertebral compression fractures occur when the vertebral body of the spine collapses, which can lead to severe pain, deformity,...
Vertebral Kyphoplasty
Evolution of Vertebral Kyphoplasty
Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used in the USA since 1999 for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. It is designed to stabilize the fracture and help correct the deformity in the vertebral body. Patients who have disabling intolerable back pain, progressive vertebral collapse, and symptoms that persistent greater than 4-6 weeks may benefit from kyphoplasty.
The procedure is typically done as an outpatient and lasts less than 1 hour. In general, a small (less than 1cm) incision is made and a small opening is made into the fractured bone. A balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebral body. This balloon is carefully inflated to correct the fracture deformity of the collapsed vertebral body. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving a small cavity within the vertebral body. This cavity is then filled with bone cement, which stabilizes the fractured vertebrae.
This procedure can help provide some patients with immediate pain relief and has the greatest potential to correct skeletal deformities, compared to standard vertebroplasty, because of its ability to restore vertebral height.
Technology Spotlight
Medtronic Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty
The Medtronic Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty system is used to repair vertebral compression fractures by reducing and stabilizing the fractures. Key features are that it provides 700 psi max rated inflation pressure, which is higher than previous 400 psi rated balloons.
In addition, with the cement resistance technique, delivery of the cement can occur through one cannula while the contralateral balloon remains inflated to maintain fracture reduction. Likewise, the Kyphon Cement Delivery System (CDS) delivers cement from up to 48 inches away from the radiation source during the kyphoplasty procedure conferring greater radiation protection to the surgeon. The complication rate with Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to be low (< 1% procedure- and cement-related).
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