Bilateral and unilateral approaches are the main methods for balloon kyphoplasty. However, controversy exists about which leads to superior outcomes. The goal of this study was to compare the clinical effects and safety of unilateral vs bilateral balloon kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Five databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Chinese Biomedical Database) were searched without language, publication, or date restrictions. Randomized controlled trials involving a total of 876 patients and comparing the efficacy of unilateral vs bilateral balloon kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were identified. Meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in visual analog scale pain score up to 2-year follow-up (mean difference at 1 week, 0.17 [95% confidence interval (CI), −0.11 to 0.44]; mean difference at 1 year, 0.01 [95% CI, −0.29 to 0.32]; mean difference at 2 years, 0.28 [95% CI, −0.13 to 0.70]), Oswestry Disability Index pain score up to 1-year follow-up (mean difference at 1 week, 1.28 [95% CI, −2.62 to 5.17]; mean difference at 1 year, 1.87 (95% CI, −5.33 to 9.06]), anterior and middle vertebral height (mean difference anterior, −0.13 [95% CI, −0.32 to 0.06]; mean difference middle, −0.16 [95% CI, −0.36 to 0.03]), or kyphotic angle (mean difference, −0.02 [95% CI, −0.65 to 0.61]); however, the unilateral approach resulted in a shorter operative time (mean difference, −19.33 [95% CI, −4.42 to −14.24]), smaller amount of cement injected (mean difference, −2.07 [95% CI, −2.42 to −1.71]), and lower risk of cement leakage (mean difference, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.24–0.92]) than the bilateral approach. The unilateral approach resulted in pain relief and vertebral height and kyphotic angle restoration comparable with that of bilateral kyphoplasty. The unilateral approach should be considered an effective option for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Background: In the late stage of spinal tuberculosis, the bony destruction and vertebral collapse often leads to significant kyphosis, presenting clinically as a painful gibbus deformity, with increased instability, vertebral body translations and increased risk of neurologic involvement. Spinal osteotomy is thought to be suitable for most patients with severe rigid kyphosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transpedicular bi-vertebrae osteotomy technique in the patients with Pott’s kyphosis and other post-tubercular spinal deformity.Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2015, 18 patients with post-tubercular spinal deformity underwent the transpedicular bi-vertebrae wedge osteotomy, with a minimum follow up of 27.0 months. Preoperative and postoperative kyphotic angle, sagittal plane parameters (TK for thoracic deformity, TLK for thoracolumbar and LL for lumbar deformity) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual analog scale (VAS) and modified American Spinal Injury Association grading (ASIA) of preoperative and final follow-up were documented and compared.Results: The average operation time was 305 minutes (range, 200–430 minutes) with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 425 mL (range, 200-700 mL). The kyphotic angles decreased from 80.3° (range, 28.5°-130.8°) preoperatively to 26.1° (range, 7.0°-63.3°) at the final follow-up (P<0.01). The mean VAS score was reduced from preoperative 5.2(range, 2-9) to 0.9(range, 0-2,P<0.01) and the ODI improved from 55.3% (range, 46%-76%) to 6.3% (range, 2%-18%,P<0.01). At final follow-up, there was radiographic evidence of solid fusion at the osteotomy site and fixed segments in all patients. Neurological function improved from ASIA scale D to E in 7 patients, C to D in 3 patients.Conclusions: Our results suggest that transpedicular bi-vertebrae wedge osteotomy is a safe and effective treatment option for post-tubercular spinal deformity. This technique achieves satisfying correction and fusion rates with adequate decompression of neurological elements.

Background: In the late stage of spinal tuberculosis, the bony destruction and vertebral collapse often leads to significant kyphosis, presenting clinically as a painful gibbus deformity, with increased instability, vertebral body translations and increased risk of neurologic involvement. Spinal osteotomy is thought to be suitable for most patients with severe rigid kyphosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transpedicular bi-vertebrae osteotomy technique in the patients with Pott’s kyphosis and other post-tubercular spinal deformity.Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2015, 18 patients with post-tubercular spinal deformity underwent the transpedicular bi-vertebrae wedge osteotomy, with a minimum follow up of 27.0 months. Preoperative and postoperative kyphotic angle, sagittal plane parameters (T1-T12 angle for thoracic deformity, T10-L2 angle for thoracolumbar and L1-L5 angle for lumbar deformity) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual analog scale (VAS) and modified American Spinal Injury Association grading(ASIA) of preoperative and final follow-up were documented. Results:The average operation time was 455 minutes (range, 200-260 minutes) with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 425 mL (range, 200-700 mL). The kyphotic angles decreased from 80.3° (range, 28.5°-130.8°) preoperatively to 26.1° (range, 7.0°-63.3°) at the final follow-up (P<0.01). The mean VAS score was reduced from preoperative 5.2(range, 2-9) to 0.9(range, 0-2, P<0.01) and the ODI improved from 55.3% (range, 46%-76%) to 6.3% (range, 2%-18%, P<0.01). At final follow-up, there was radiographic evidence of solid fusion at the osteotomy site and fixed segments in all patients. Neurological function improved from ASIA scale D to E in 7 patients, C to D in 3 patients.Conclusions:Our results suggest that transpedicular bi-vertebrae wedge osteotomy is a safe and effective treatment option for post-tubercular spinal deformity. This technique achieves satisfying correction and fusion rates with adequate decompression of neurological elements.