Regardless of the fact that short-segment vertebroplasty with posterior spinal fusion (VP + PSF) portrayed less invasiveness and validity of pain and neurological relief, more correction loss was observed as compared to the long-segment VP + PSF for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral collapse, as concluded from a study issued in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

This novel, retrospective study examined the surgical outcomes of short- versus long-segment VP + PSF for OVC with neurological damage in thoracolumbar spine.

The data from 133 patients (median age of 77 years; 42 males and 91 females) was collected. These patients were divided as: S group or short-segment fusion group with 2- or 3-segment fusion (n=87) and; L group or long-segment fusion group with 4- through 6-segment fusion (n=46). The clinical outcomes, surgical invasion, local kyphosis angle (LKA, figure 1), and associated-issues were assessed.

Figure 1: Estimation of LKA

Between the 2 groups, no substantial differences concerning neurological recovery, pain scale scores, and associated-issues were witnessed. In S group, shorter surgical time and less blood loss was observed (figure 2), on the other hand, LKA at the last follow-up and correction loss were notable in the L group.

Figure 2: Surgical time and blood loss in the S and L groups.