V-Shape Lumbar Bridge: postural reduction combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to explore the surgical effect, imaging parameters and complications of “V-Shape Lumbar Bridge” postural reduction combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty strategy for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) and severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (S-OVCF). The present study was a retrospective study involving 57 patients (30 OVCF and 27 S-OVCF cases). The patients were underwent “V-Shape Lumbar Bridge” postural reduction combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The findings showed no significant differences in demographic data, operative time and rate of cement leakage between the two groups ( P > 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the injected cement volume between the OVCF group and S-OVCF group ( P < 0.05). Analysis of the vertebral body reduction effect showed that the vertebral height ratio and Cobb angle of the two groups were significantly improved after the operation. Cobb angles of the two groups were significantly different at the six-month follow-up compared with the preoperative Cobb angle ( p < 0.05). Pre-operative and postoperative difference in Cobb angle in the S-OVCF group was significantly smaller relative to that of the OVCF group ( p < 0.05). VAS scores of both groups were significantly improved after surgery ( p < 0.05) and were effectively maintained at the last follow-up. Our preliminary findings suggest that the “V‑Shape Lumbar Bridge” technique is a feasible approach for restoring vertebral height in selected patients with OVCF. However, these results are exploratory, and well-designed comparative studies against conventional PVP or PKP are necessary to establish its clinical utility.