Elastoplasty as a promising novel technique: Vertebral augmentation with an elastic silicone-based polymer.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) restores the stiffness and the strength of fractured vertebral bodies, but changes the pattern of the stress transfer. This effect may cause a secondary fracture of the adjacent vertebrae. Elastoplasty has emerged as a new technique to overcome this complication. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical results of the elastoplasty procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirthy nine patients (9 males, 30 females, 87 spinal levels) were clinically evaluated pre and postoperatively in terms of pain relief, leakage and silicone embolism. The mean age was 67 (range 38-84) years. The mean follow up period was 12,5 months. The patients were evaluated radiologically for the presence of adjacent level fractures postoperatively. Complications were recorded.

RESULTS: The mean VAS score decreased from 7,5 to 3,5 during the last follow-up. Symptomatic silicone pulmonary embolism was not encountered in any patients. Leakage was observed in 5 (13%) cases. There was an adjacent level fracture in 1 case and another fracture which was not at the adjacent level in another one. A hematoma occurred in the needle entry site in a patient with trombocytopenia (<70,000).

CONCLUSIONS: Elastoplasty is a safe, promising technique in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Symptomatic silicone pulmonary embolism is not observed. The material's stiffness is close to intact vertebrae. Therefore, elastoplasty may be a good viable option in the treatment of VCFs as it cause less complications and can prevent adjacent level fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.