Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat the vertebral compression.

Vertebral compression happens due to the osteoporesis, which is the condition in which the calcium in the bones is lost. Kyphoplasty is done to correct the fractures in the vertebrae. Usually during osteoporesis the bones become weak and fractures occur. Kyphoplasty reduces the pain caused by the fracture and is a highly recommended treatment mode to correct the deformity caused by the fracture. It is also useful that it stabilizes the fracture and restores the height. Usually kyphoplasty is done after administering local or general anesthesia.

The process of kyphoplasty is to insert a balloon tamp into the fractured vertebral space and then inflate it to the required height and size. Then the balloon is removed and the space which was created by inflating the balloon if filled with cement. The cement solidifies quickly and the fractured or compressed vertebral column is thus managed. The whole process of surgery is done under the surveillance of a fluoroscope or X-ray camera.

The patient is made to lie down with his dorsal portion of the body upwards. The skin over the fractured vertebra is cleaned using antiseptic solutions. Then the anesthesia is administered. Sometimes the physician may go for general anesthesia. Two small incisions are made on the skin and needles are inserted through them. The needle acts as probes. The probes are monitored using the X-ray camera or a fluoroscope and the whole process is done by viewing the portion in the camera. The two needles are inserted to the sides of the fractured vertebral column portion. Then the balloon tamp is inserted through both sides of the fracture. The balloon tamp is inflated when it is in position. The balloon tamp is coated with contrast medium so that it can be viewed with the fluoroscope. Then the balloon is inflated with air till the correct height and the shape of the vertebral column is attained. The balloon tamp is then removed and the cement is poured into the cavity. The cement used is made up of polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA. The PMMA solidifies within thirty minutes and the vertebral compression problem is fixed.

There are chances for complications related to the kyphoplasty. The major problem or complication of kyphoplasty is those related with the anesthesia. There are chances that the anesthetic drugs may interact with the other drugs taken, sometimes the anesthetic drugs may affect the functioning of the lungs. The other major complication that may arise is the continued pain after the surgery. There are chances of infection related to kyphoplasty. Infections on the skin can be treated with antibiotics but deep body or bone infection is the major threat. There are also chances of blood clot or thrombophlebitis related with this surgical procedure.

Many studies report that more than ninety percent of the patients get immediate relief after the surgery. The relief of pain is the most important thing that the patient experiences. The height and the form of the vertebral column is restored after the surgery. The gains form this minimally invasive surgical procedure is that it is simple and has fewer complications. The surgery normally costs less than the other elaborate surgical procedures. The normal treatment procedure before the introduction of this procedure was to take ample rest and restore the strength of the bones. The height and the structure were not cured. The introduction of this surgical procedure has been a major relief for the osteoporesis patients.