Percutaneous functional spinal unit cementoplasty <i>versus</i> percutaneous kyphoplasty for severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture complicated with endplate-disc complex injury: A retrospective case-control study

BACKGROUNDSevere osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (SOVCF) is frequently complicated by endplatedisc complex (EDC) injury. While percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) can offer rapid analgesia and facilitate early activity, it does not restore vertebral height and may result in intervertebral leakage and untreated EDC injury.OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous functional spinal unit cementoplasty (PFSUP) for SOVCF complicated by EDC injury and compare its clinical and imaging outcomes with PKP.METHODSThis was a retrospective case-control study. Patients with SOVCF complicated with EDC injury between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, were recruited and assigned to the PKP group and PFSUP group based on their treatment procedures Back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and daily life activities were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). X-rays were employed to observe the presence and location of cement leakage, as well as to measure the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and local kyphosis angle (LKA). Loss of correction was calculated by subtracting the LKA after surgery from that at the final follow-up visit Subsequent vertebral fracture (SVF) was confirmed using the Genant semi-quantitative method and/or MRI.RESULTSA total of 64 patients were included in this study. Among them 41 cases were assigned to the PKP group (28 females, 74.8 years on average), while the remaining 23 cases were assigned to the PFSUP group (15 females, 76.3 years on average). All surgical interventions were successfully completed without major complications. Compared to the PKP group, the PFSUP group had longer operation time (70.28 ± 11.44 vs 44.5 ± 10.12, <i>P</i>< 0.001) higher frequencies of radiation exposure (97.6 ± 19.85 vs 38.6 ± 9.53, <i>P</i>< 0.001), and a lower cement leakage rate (26.1% vs. 41.5%, <i>P</i>< 0.001). One day after surgery and at the final follow-up the PFSUP group had lower VAS and ODI scores, as well as lower LKA and Sva values compared with the PKP group (all <i>P</i>< .001). At the final follow-up visit, the PFSUP group demonstrated a lower loss of correction (4.38 ± 2.71 vs. 10.19 ± 3.41 <i>P</i>< 0.001) and a lower SVF rate compared to the PKP group (21.7% vs. 31.7%, <i>P</i>< 0.001).CONCLUSIONPFSUP outperformed PKP in alleviating pain restoring and maintaining sagittal balance, and lowering the incidence of cement leakage and SVF for SOVCF with EDC injury However, PFSUP was associated with longer operation time and high radiation exposure frequencies.