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. 2018 Oct 15;12(5):543-548.
doi: 10.14444/5066. eCollection 2018 Oct.

The Effect of Kyphoplasty on Mortality in Symptomatic Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Review

Swamy Kurra  1 , Umesh Metkar  2 , Isador H Lieberman  3 , William F Lavelle  1
Affiliations

The Effect of Kyphoplasty on Mortality in Symptomatic Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Review

Swamy Kurra et al. Int J Spine Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are common comorbidities encountered in the elderly, and they are on the rise. Kyphoplasty may be superior in VCF management compared with conservative management. A comprehensive review of literature was conducted, focusing on the effect of kyphoplasty on mortality and overall survivorship in patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic VCFs.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to find recently published literature on kyphoplasty effects on mortality using the following keywords: "kyphoplasty," "mortality," "morbidity," "vertebral compression fractures," and "survivorship." We only included articles that listed one of their primary or secondary outcomes as morbidity and mortality after a kyphoplasty procedure in VCF patients.

Results: Of 27 articles, only 6 articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies have reported that surgical procedures have decreased the mortality rate in symptomatic VCF patients. Four studies concluded that the mortality rate was lower after kyphoplasty compared with vertebroplasty and nonoperative treatments. One study reported there was no significant difference between kyphoplasty and nonoperative management. One study summarized that the mortality rate was not significantly different between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.

Conclusions: Multicenter prospective and randomized control studies are required to fully evaluate the decreasing trend of mortality rates after a kyphoplasty procedure.

Keywords: kyphoplasty; morbidity; mortality; survivorship; vertebral compression fractures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures and COI: There were no sources of funding from any source for this study. There were no grants for this paper, and no authors have any personal or institutional financial interest in drugs, materials, or devices described in this submission.

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