Background: Unilateral and bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) have been widely
adopted to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Unilateral PKP
has a shorter operation time and less radiation exposure time compared with bilateral
PKP, but the anatomical distinctions of unilateral PKP are not identical in all cases.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the significance of age, gender, level,
and side in relation to the anatomical distinctions of unilateral PKP for lumbar OVCFs
through the transverse process-pedicle approach (TPPA).
Study Design: This was a retrospective study of 200 patients.
Setting: The research took place at General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area
Command of Chinese PLA.
Methods: Researchers examined 1000 lumbar spines (L1-L5) of 200 patients and
simulated PKP on the 3D-CT scans through unilateral TPPA. The distance between the
entry point and the midline of the vertebral body (DEM), the puncture inclination angle
(PIA), the safe range of the inner inclination angles (SRA), and the success rate (SR) of
puncture were measured and compared.
Results: There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the mean DEM between men
and women, and between the left and right sides. The DEM was significantly larger
in men than women and in right than left. The DEM from L1 to L5 was significantly
increased (P < 0.05), from 22.4 ± 2.0 mm to 34.1 ± 4.3 mm. The right maximum PIA
was significantly larger than the left. The maximum puncture angle and SRA in men
was larger than that in women except for L5. The SRA from L1 to L5 was significantly
increased (P < 0.05), from 20.1 ± 6.0 mm to 44.2 ± 8.8 mm. The SR from L1 to L5 was
significantly increased (P < 0.05), from 88.3% to 100%. The SR in men was significantly
higher than that in women for L1 and L2.
Limitations: Sample size was relatively small.
Conclusions: The DEM was 22.4 mm to 34.1 mm according to different levels. There
were significant gender, side, and age differences in the DEM and PIA. The values of
DEM, PIA, SRA and SR were significantly increased from L1 to L5.
Key words: Lumbar, osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, unilateral,
percutaneous kyphoplasty, transverse process.