Veterbral Augmentation (Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty)

Vertebral augmentation is primarily used for patients who have suffered a compression fracture. It can be compression fractures from cancer related metastases or it can be traumatic. As we get older, our bones sometimes get thinner; osteoporosis sets in and puts in a situation where any slight trauma to the spine can result in a fracture. Some people have even just lifted dishes out of the dishwasher, just bending over at the waist, and fractured a spine, something as simple as that. So what happens is the vertebral body collapses upon itself from top to bottom if you will, it gets compressed. And so, what we can do for those patients is treat them with a vertebral augmentation. We can use fluoroscopy in the operating room under anesthesia and be able to place cement into the cracked areas of the spine and heal the fracture within 30 to 40 minutes. Patients often leave the surgery room or the recovery area without pain. It’s very effective in treating those compression fractures, again, both from metastatic disease from cancer or just trauma. That vertebral augmentation also comes in two varieties, one is kyphoplasty, and one is vertebroplasty. Vertebroplasty simply uses cement with standard needles to be able to place the cement into the cracked area to cement the body together. In terms of kyphoplasty, it’s a little more complicated, we actually use balloons. So through the initial trocars, like for vertebroplasty, we will place the balloon that creates a cavity within the vertebral body. That cavity allows the cement to flow in under less pressure. The thought process is it’s more localized without extravasation or uncontrolled spread of the cement. Both are accepted by the medical community to treat compression fractures, they both have similar outcomes in 5 to 7 years.