The effect of bone cement distribution on clinical efficacy after percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

To evaluate the influence of various distributions of bone cement on the clinical efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in treating osteoporotic vertebrae compression fractures. A total of 201 OVCF patients (30 males and 171 females) who received PKP treatment in our hospital were enrolled in this study. According to the characteristic of cement distribution, patients were divided into 2 groups: group A ("H" shaped group), the filling pattern in vertebral body were 2 briquettes and connected with / without cement bridge; and group B ("O" shaped group), the filling pattern in vertebral body was a complete crumb and without any separation. Bone mineral density, volume of injected cement, radiographic parameters, and VAS scores were recorded and analyzed between the 2 groups. All patients finished at least a 1-year follow-up and both groups had significant improvement in radiographic parameters and clinical results. No significant differences in BMD, operation time, bleeding volume, or leakage of cement were observed between the 2 groups. Compared with group B, group A had a larger use of bone cement, lower proportion of unipedicular approach, and better VAS scores at 1 year after surgery. Both "H" and "O" shaped distribution pattern can improve radiographic data and clinical outcomes effectively. However, "H" shaped distribution can achieve better clinical recovery at short-term follow-up.