Clinical effects of percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of Kümmell’s disease in elderly patients

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of Kummell’s disease in the elderly. Methods Eighteen elderly patients with Kummell’s disease, treated with PKP in the People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou from January 2011 to December 2017 were selected as research subjects. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) were used to evaluate the pain and quality of life (QOL) before operation, 2 days after operation and at the last follow-up. Results The patients were followed up for 18 to 24 months, with the average of 20.6 months. Two patients had bone cement leakage; no clinical symptoms or complications occurred, such as spinal cord nerve root injury, pulmonary embolism and so on. The VAS score and ODI were significantly decreased 2 days after operation (P 0.05). No loosening of bone cement, displacement or re-fracture was found during follow-up. Conclusions PKP is an effective minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ Kummell’s disease. Key words: Kummell’s disease; Spinal fracture; Kyphoplasty