OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of fresh thoracolumbar fractures in the elderly.

METHODSFrom May 2004 to March 2009, among 29 patients (32 vertebras) with thoracolumbar fractures, 18 patients (21 vertebras) were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and 11 patients (11 vertebras) were treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). The visual analogue scale (VAS) and mobility were evaluated 3 days before and after operation. During follow-up period, patients were observed and evaluated in terms of relief of back pain and regaining of living ability. Complications such as bone cement leakage were analyzed.

RESULTSAll the patients got successful operation. The average operation time was 38.6 minutes for the 18 patients (21 vertebras) with PVP performed, and 3.2 ml (2-5 ml) bone cement was injected. For the 11 patients (11 vertebras) with PKP performed, the average operation time was 43 minutes, and an average of 3.8 ml (2-6 ml) bone cement was injected. The VAS decreased from preoperative (7.5 +/- 0.7) to (2.2 +/- 0.5) at the 3rd day after operation; the mobility scores of the patients decreased from preoperative (2.4 +/- 0.6) to (1.2 +/- 0.3) at the 3rd day after operation; the vertebral height increased from an average of (52.4 +/- 9.7)% pre-operation to (85.2 +/- 10.6)% after operation; and the average kyphosis correction of Cobb angle was 11.2 degrees. During an average of 12.6 months follow-up, no patients reported vertebral pain. Review of X-ray films showed no significant loss of vertebral height. One patient died from complications of heart disease 5 months being discharged from hospital. Another patient died from the same cause at 6 months after opertaion. Paravertebral leakage of bone cement was also found in 2 patients. No serious complications occurred and patients were satisfied with the treatment.

CONCLUSIONPVP, PKP can be used to instantly reinforce vertebral injury, relieve pain, and improve the patient's mobility. For elder people with fresh thoracolumbar fractures, when health conditions are allowed, PVP or PKP surgery is the right treatment.