How to Avoid Complications in Kyphoplasty - the Rule of Four

  • Ioannis Papanastassiou General Oncological Hospital Kifisias “Agioi Anargyroi”, Athens, Greece First Department of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, ATTIKON University Hospital,
  • Stathopoulos Alexandros General Oncological Hospital Kifisias “Agioi Anargyroi”, Athens, Greece
  • Olga Savvidou First Department of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, ATTIKON University Hospital,
  • Patty Tseke General Hospital “Alexandra” Athens, Greece
  • Alexandra Koukoutsi Private office
  • Frank D. Vrionis Marcus Neuroscience Institute, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
Keywords: Rule of Four; Kyphoplasty; Osteoporosis; Vertebral Fractures; Complications

Abstract

Purpose. There is no consensus on the number of levels that may be treated in a single kyphoplasty session; some authorities suggest up to four vertebrae while others have augmented more levels in one session. The purpose of this study is to define the optimal number of vertebrae that may be treated on a single operative session in a safe manner.

Methods. We retrospectively studied the patients that underwent kyphoplasty during a 7-year period (2010-2016) from a single surgeon. 70 consecutive patients were identified (mean 65 years). Overall 224 vertebrae were cemented in 82 operative sessions. Perioperative complications, 10-day morbidity, pain and kyphotic angle were analyzed. We used Stata version 9.1 for statistical analysis.

Results. Three serious (life threatening or lethal) adverse events were encountered during the 10-day perioperative period, related with multilevel prolonged operations (more than 4 levels) (p<0.001). The only other factor that was marginally correlated was the presence of vertebrae plana (p: 0.06). Cement leak was observed in 44% (leakage per session not per vertebrae), correlating with the number of augmented levels (23.3% in 1-2 levels, 51.5% in 3 and 64.7% with more levels, odds ratio 2.53, p=0.005). Pain improved from 8.2 points to 4.4 points postoperatively (p<0.001) and kyphotic angle from 22.9 degrees to 20.8 degrees (p<0.001).

Conclusion. Up to 4 levels may be safely treated with kyphoplasty in one session. Augmentation of more vertebrae especially in debilitating patients suffering from pathologic fractures leads to more cement leakage and may predispose to major complications.

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Published
2021-04-26