Comparing pain reduction following kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty

The aim of the study was to compare the extent of pain reduction with kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) using a visual analog scale (VAS). A computerized database search was performed to compare pain relief from VP and KP in OVCF. The available literature was analysed to quantify the amount of pain reduction using VAS as the primary outcome. A total of 10 studies encompassing 902 patients met the inclusion criteria. Subgroup meta-analyses were performed according to the study design. VAS for the KP group was not significant compared with the VP group at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months. Pain relief in the KP group was greater than that in the VP group at 12 months and 2 years. KP is superior to VP in patients requiring pain relief. More large-scale, double-blinded controlled trials are necessary in order to quantify the pain relief afforded by VP more precisely.