Outcome after Posterior Vertebral Column Resection in Patients with Severe Osteoporotic Fractures-A Retrospective Analysis from Two Centers

Background and Objectives: In osteoporotic fractures of the spine with resulting kyphosis and threatening compression of neural structures, therapeutic decisions are difficult. The posterior vertebral column resection (pVCR) has been described by different authors as a surgical treatment in a single-stage posterior procedure. The aim of this study is to evaluate midterm outcomes of patients treated by pVCR due to severe osteoporotic fractures. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data analysis of all the patients treated for osteoporotic fractures by pVCR from 2012-2020 at two centers was performed. Demographic data, visual analog scale (VAS), Frankel scale (FS), Karnofsky performance status (KPS), radiological result and spinal fusion rates were evaluated. Results: A total of 17 patients were included. The mean age was 70 +/- 10.2 y. The mean VAS decreased significantly from 7.7 +/- 2.8 preoperatively to 3.0 +/- 1.6 at last follow-up (p < 0.001) and the segmental kyphosis decreased from 29.4 +/- 14.1 degrees to 7.9 +/- 8.0 degrees (p < 0.001). The neurologic function on the FS did not worsen in any and improved in four of the patients. The median KPS remained stable over the whole observation period (70% vs. 70%). Spinal fusion was observed in nine out of nine patients who received CT follow-up >120 days after index surgery. Conclusions: This study showed that pVCR is a safe surgical technique with few surgical complications and no neurological deterioration considering the cohort. The patients' segmental kyphosis and VAS improved significantly, while the KPS remained stable.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the midterm outcomes of patients treated with posterior vertebral column resection (pVCR) for severe osteoporotic fractures. The results showed that the surgery significantly improved segmental kyphosis and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, while maintaining stable Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores. There were no neurological deteriorations observed, and spinal fusion rates were high with few surgical complications.