An innovative technique for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures – vertebral osteotome with side-opening cannula

Objective This study is to assess an innovative technique – a vertebral osteotome (VO) combined with side-opening injection cannula for percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Methods A retrospective study by propensity score matching. From January 2016 to April 2016, 63 patients who were diagnosed with monosegmental osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture received the innovative technique. The epidemiologic data, surgical indexes, and recovery outcomes were collected in the follow-up period. Propensity score matching identified 63 pairs form historical controls by traditional unilateral PVP approach in 2015 using six independent variables: age, sex, preoperative visual analog score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), body mass index, and bone mineral density. Results The surgical duration and cement distribution were longer and larger in patients by VO method. Besides, postoperative VAS and ODI in the VO group were lower than those in the control group. However, there were no differences in radiation exposure times, improvement of Cobb angle, cement leakage, or adjacent vertebral fracture between two groups. Cement volume in the VO group was less than that in the control group. Conclusion This new innovative technique makes PVP safe and effective. Although it lasts longer, the restoration rate of vertebral height and cement distribution can be improved, which contributes to a better pain relief.