OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of self-made spinal expander in treatment of compression fracture of osteoporotic vertebral body.

METHODSNinty-six patients were randomly divided into two groups, treatment group included 42 cases with 56 centrums, 14 males and 28 females, aged from 50 to 69 years, and control group included 54 cases with 68 centrums, 19 males and 35 females, aged from 51 to 75 years. All cases were examined by X-ray and CT. MRI was taken in 27 patients to make sure the diagnosis which was compression fracture of vertebral body due to osteoporosis. The degree of osteoporosis was judged by X-ray of L3 bone trabecula. Fifty-six centrums in treatment group were treated with self-made spinal expander and bone cement. Sixty-eight centrums in control group were treated with PVP. Compression rate and recovery rate of vertebral height, and leakage rate of bone cement were measured according to the Lee standard.

RESULTS(1) VAS between treatment group and control group had significant statistically difference (P<0.05). (2) In treatment group, compression rate of anterior and middle vertebal height were statistical difference before and after operation (P<0.05). In control group, the compression rate of pre-and post-operative vertebal height had no significant difference (P>0.05). (3) The recovery rate of kyphosis between treatment group (71.8%) and control group (37.8%) was significant statistically difference (P<0.05). (4) There was no cement leakage in the treatment group, however the leakage rate in control group was 47%. (5) The curative effect was assessed based on the standard of WHO. In treatment group, 36 cases was completely relieved, 4 cases was partially relieved and the relief rate was 95.24%. In control group, 43 cases was completely relieved, 3 cases was partially relieved and the relief rate was 84.19%. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe self-made spinal expander is a minimal invasive technique, which can substitute the imported balloon. This technique can alleviate pain rapidly and recover the height of vertebral body.