Is Balloon kyphoplasty a better treatment than percutaneous vertebroplasty for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs)?

BACKGROUND: Although several studies reported that Balloon kyphoplasty (BK) or percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) could improve pulmonary functions, there is no study to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 procedures in COPD patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) and investigate the reason why they could improve pulmonary functions.

METHOD: Two procedures, including BK and PVP were performed in 61 COPD patients with single-level OVCFS. VAS-score, ODI, pulmonary function and radiological parameters (Anterior vertebral body height ratio, posterior vertebral body height ratio and Local kyphotic angle) were evaluated preoperatively and 1 week, 3 months and 12 moths postoperatively, respectively. The operation time and cement leakage rate were also recorded.

RESULT: The operation time was longer in BK than PVP (37.5 ± 7.4 versus 27.6 ± 6.2 min per vertebra). Both groups got an equally significant improvement in pain relief, functional result, pulmonary functions and demonstrated similar cement leakage rate (BK: 6.5%; PVP: 10%). Radiologically, BK is favored than PVP. A significant relationship between VAS and pulmonary functions except FEV1 was observed in first week postoperatively, while the ODI was related to MVV in first 3 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: Both BK and PVP provided equally significant back pain relief and improvements of respiratory functions in patients affected by COPD with single level OVCFs. BK was favored in radiography, this improvement was not related to pain relief and improvement of pulmonary functions. Given much higher cost of BK, similar effectiveness and safety of BK and PVP, in COPD patients with OVCFs, PVP may be a better choice.