2013 ISASS Annual Meeting: Unilateral versus bilateral balloon kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs; Jadad score 1-2) were included in this review and analysis which compared the efficacy of unilateral and bilateral balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures in osteoporotic patients. Safety, radiological outcome, and clinical outcome were compared between procedures. The results indicated that clinical outcome (visual analog scale (VAS) score) was similar between groups at both short- and long-term assessment, and that polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) leakage was similar. Length of operation and PMMA consumption was significantly less with the unilateral procedure. Reduction of fracture was better in the bilateral group, although, the clinical significance of this finding was unclear.