Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures recommended if one or more vertebral bones are fractured due to compression fracture (break in the thick mass of the bone). Vertebral compression fractures lead to the collapse of the vertebra which shortens the spine and curves of the spine forward from its usual position which can give rise to pain and kyphotic deformity (Hunchback-an abnormally curved spine)

The spine is divided into five parts three parts in the neck called the cervical spine, the thoracic spine in the chest and the lumbar spine in the back, each of these parts is made up of separate bones called the vertebrae. The weight-bearing part of the vertebra is called the vertebral body which is made up of solid bone on the outside and made of spongy bone on the inside which is porous. If one is suffering from osteoporosis the bone in the vertebral body can become thinner and more porous making the bone weak. Bending, sneezing, lifting objects or falling can put pressure on the spine more than the weakened vertebral body can support and this pressure can cause a compression fracture which further collapses the vertebral body. Compression fractures commonly occur in the transition zones, between the stiffer thoracic spine to the more flexible lumbar spine. Treatment Doctors first recommend nonsurgical procedures and try to relieve the pain with pain medication and advice rest if necessary a back brace also may be recommended, if none of these work, doctors recommend vertebroplasty or a kyphoplasty procedure. For the surgical procedure of vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty an IV line is started, to decrease the chance of infection antibiotics will be given through the line, local anesthesia will be given to numb the back in addition General anesthesia may be used to keep one unconscious and pain-free during the procedure, a breathing tube may be inserted through one's mouth down the throat to help one breath during the procedure if general anesthesia is used.

During the procedure the patient is made to lie face down on the operating table, the surgeon may reset the fractured vertebra by externally manipulating the patient's body position before the surgery begins, the doctor makes two small punctures in the back over the fractured vertebra, A hollow tube called the cannula along with a pointed instrument called the trocar is inserted into the fractured vertebral body through the incision, the cannula is inserted through the pedicle or slightly above it using a rotary motion or a tapping mallet, a real-time x-ray machine called the fluoroscope is used to guide placement of the cannula and trocar, using X-ray guidance, the surgeon pushes the needle at an angle into the vertebral body until it reaches the affected area,in the vertebroplasty procedure the trocar is removed and low viscosity bone cement is injected through each cannula into the vertebra till it spreads into the weakened portion of the bone to harden and stabilize the fractured vertebral body, depending on how rapidly the cement spreads a second injection may be necessary. The cement hardens quickly which creates an internal cast inside of the fractured vertebra.

If one is having a kyphoplasty procedure then the surgeon will insert a balloon tamp through each cannula before injecting the bone cement, the balloon on the tip of the device is inflated to restore the height of the vertebral body, after deflating and removing the balloon tamp the cement is injected into the space created by the balloon tamp. At the end of either procedure, the cannula is removed. The same procedure may be repeated on the other side of the vertebral body then the surgeon bandages the tiny skin punctures, the patient may be allowed to lie flat on the back till the cement hardens which takes about five minutes. Once the procedure is completed the breathing tube will be removed and monitored for some time in the recovery room, pain medication may be given if needed. The patient is usually allowed to go back home on the same day as the procedure. Pain in the back may be debilitating and needs to be attended to at the earliest.

There are many conditions that can cause back pain, one needs to make a choice carefully and get the right treatment. If one is looking for the best neurosurgeon in Bangalore you are in the right place. Dr. Venugopal S is one of the leading neurosurgeons in Bangalore having experience over a decade of treating various brain and spine diseases both in adults and pediatrics.

For more information about problems related to the spine contact Dr. Venugopal S. Or Visit us www.neurosurgerybangalore.com Call us on+91 9353884928