The Comparison of the Application of Percutaneous Transpedicular and Extrapedicular Vertebroplasty: Which Approach has Better Results?

Abstract

Background:Vertebral compression fractures are a common complication of various pathologies. Vertebroplasty is a choice in these fractures, but the approach to the fractured vertebra corpus with this technique is relatively an important issue. Patients and Methods:In this retrospective study, we evaluated and compared 90 patients with vertebral fractures treated with extrapedicular or transpedicular vertebroplasty, with respect to visual analog score (VAS), cement leakage risk, postoperative bed rest time, and postoperative analgesic use. Results:Our retrospective study showed that intraspinal canal and intervertebral cement leakage were lower in the extrapedicular group than in the transpedicular group (1 vs. 3 and 3 vs. 6). In addition, postoperative bed rest time and postoperative anagesic use were higher in the transpedicular group than in the extrapedicular group (24 vs. 15 h and 7 vs. 3 d). When compared, the extrapedicular group had lower cost and first-year VAS than the transpedicular group, despite preoperative VAS being higher in the extrapedicular group. Conclusions:Our comparative retrospective study showed that extrapedicular approach has better results with respect to VAS, cement leakage risk, postoperative bed rest time, and postoperative analgesic use. In addition to these advantages, extrapedicular approach may have some potential complications, but these complications may be prevented from meticulous manipulations.