Abstract

COUTINHO FILHO, Bartolomeu Ribeiro et al. Kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fracture: prospective functional evaluation. Coluna/Columna [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.3, pp. 197-200. ISSN 1808-1851.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1808-18512011000300006.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcome and degree of satisfaction of surgical treatment using kyphoplasty in patients with vertebral compression fractures located in the thoracolumbar spine. METHODS: Prospective study in which adult patients diagnosed with vertebral compression fracture with a course over eight weeks, with pain at the fracture site and bone edema evident by MRI imaging were identified and evaluated for the study. The functional evaluation was performed through the Oswestry Disability Index 2.0 and Visual Analogue Scale of Pain pre- and postoperatively. The personal satisfaction with treatment was measured by the scale of Johnson. RESULTS: A significant improvement in pain with an average fall of 6.4 points in the Visual Analogue Scale of Pain at the end of twelve months of follow-up compared to preoperatively (p < 00.5). The functional evaluation showed 88% excellent or good results, with seven patients (41%) with excellent results and eight patients (47%) with good results. Two patients (12%) maintained their functional assessment unchanged. As to the subjective degree of satisfaction, 82% said they were satisfied, and of those, 59% were completely satisfied and 23% satisfied with minimal restrictions. Three patients (18%) reported being dissatisfied with the outcome of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Kyphoplasty has proven effective in improving the function and relieving the pain in patients with vertebral compression fracture. The occurrence of a serious complication (AMI) calls attention to the need for proper hospital care during the procedure.

Keywords : Spinal fracture [surgery]; Osteoporosis [complications]; Fractures, compression [surgery].