OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty on vertebral tumor metastasis using instruments and drugs made in China and to explore the technique of percutaneous vertebroplasty.

METHODSThirty-two patients with vertebral metastasis were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty with instruments and drugs made in China. Anterolateral approach for cervical vertebrae and transpedicular approach for thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were used. The volume of disease focus and the amount of polymethy methacrylate (PMMA) injected were calculated with formula V = 4/3pi (D/2)(3) preoperatively. PMMA with contrast was mixed according to the ratio of powder/liquid/contrast of 3:2:1. The procedures were monitored under fluoroscopy. PMMA was injected in the polymerization time. CT scanning was performed before and after the operation.

RESULTSThe percentage of lesion PMMA fill was more than 50% as demonstrated by CT. Clinical data were obtained from the cases followed up for 7 - 12 months, and the rate of pain relief was 90.6% (29/32) at one week, 71.8% (23/32) at six months, and 58.6% (17/29) at 12 months after operation. There were no cases of PMMA leakage that affected clinical performance.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral tumor metastasis using instruments and drugs made in China was effective. It is important to prevent paravertebral leaks of PMMA and to ensure that PMMA is injected within the polymerization time.