European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of kyphoplasty with use of a calcium phosphate cement and non-operative therapy in patients with traumatic non-osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
One of the current standard treatment options for younger patients with stable traumatic vertebral fractures is conservative treatment using braces. Kyphoplasty as a minimally invasive procedure has been shown to be effective in stabilizing vertebral body fractures, resulting in immediate pain relief and improved physical function. The purpose of this prospective study was to clarify whether patients with acute traumatic vertebral fractures benefit more from kyphoplasty or from conservative treatment with a brace. ⋯ However, there are clinically asymptomatic cement leakages in up to 45% of which we do not know the consequences in long term. Every patient with traumatic vertebral body fracture treated by kyphoplasty has to be informed about that. Long-time results are outstanding and our findings require confirmation by randomized controlled trials.