Kyphoplasty

What is Kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty describes a surgery for fractures or instabilities of the spine. It is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning that the access is made through several small incisions, and the section of the spine being operated on is not exposed.

What Procedures Are Available?

There are two different procedures: substance-destroying balloon kyphoplasty and substance-preserving radiofrequency kyphoplasty. In the first-mentioned one, a balloon is inserted into the affected vertebral body and inflated to straighten the vertebral body. In the process, healthy tissue is also suppressed, therefore called substance-destroying. On the other hand, in radiofrequency kyphoplasty, the used cement is distributed between the healthy tissue and erects it without causing substance destruction.

The Difference Between Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty

In vertebroplasty, considered the precursor to kyphoplasty, a vertebral body is filled with the cement during surgery. In kyphoplasty, the vertebral body being treated is first fully erected by a balloon and thus brought into position before cement stabilization is carried out.

For Which Spinal Diseases Is Kyphoplasty Used?

Osteoporosis is the main reason for kyphoplasty and is used when conservative methods have not been successful. Osteoporosis can cause vertebras to become brittle and unstable, so this condition threatens the stability of the entire spine. There is a risk that bone fragments of the fractured vertebral body will obstruct and constrict surrounding structures, which can cause severe pain that cannot be completely relieved with pain medication. If motor nerve pathways are constricted, movement disorders may occur. If sensitive nerve pathways are affected, problems with sensation might result.

Kyphoplasty can also be used for fractures of the vertebral bodies caused by cancer. Many types of tumors spread into the spine with metastases. Thus, the invasion of cancer cells into the vertebral bones can cause them to become unstable in cancer patients. Therefore, kyphoplasty may be considered to prevent a fracture or relieve pain.

Kyphoplasty Surgery Procedure and Risks

The procedure is typically carried out while the patient is in an abdominal position under fluoroscopy monitoring. Usually, the surgery is carried out under general anesthesia. One or two balloons are placed through small incisions to resurface the fractured vertebra in the traditional procedure. The cavity created during inflation is filled with bone cement, stabilizing the vertebral body and preventing further collapse. The bone cement used in kyphoplasty is a so-called bio-cement, which the patients usually tolerate.

Significant complications of cement filling in kyphoplasty are leakage of the liquid bone cement from the vertebral body. The patient should be informed about the risks of general anesthesia, even for this minor procedure. Postoperatively, the anesthetic may cause, among other symptoms, nausea, dizziness, and headaches. In addition, placing foreign material and the skin incision can allow pathogens to enter the body and cause infection and inflammation.

How Long Is the Sick Period after Kyphoplasty?

Bed rest is not required after kyphoplasty. A few hours after the surgery, the patient can get up and move around normally when accompanied. As with all vertebral surgeries, a short-term brace is recommended in some cases. To minimize pain after the surgery, a pain catheter is often placed during the procedure, which remains in place for a few days after the surgery, as needed. After kyphoplasty, a hospital stay of a few days is recommended.

Which Doctors and Clinics Are Specialized in Kyphoplasty?

If kyphoplasty is necessary, it is carried out by specialists in orthopedics and trauma surgery who have advanced training in spine surgery.

We will help you find an expert for your condition. All listed doctors and clinics have been reviewed by us for their outstanding specialization in kyphoplasty and are awaiting your inquiry or treatment request.

Sources:

• Wirth et al.: Facharztprüfung Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, 1000 kommentierte Prüfungsfragen . 2. Auflage. Thieme 2013, ISBN 978-3-131-40652-1.
• Grifka, Krämer: Orthopädie Unfallchirurgie . 9. Auflage. Springer 2013, ISBN 978-3-642-28875-3.
• Herold et al.: Innere Medizin . Eigenverlag 2012, ISBN 978-3-981-46602-7.