BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified posterior vertebral column resection (MPVCR) in treating osteoporotic Kummell disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2013 and January 2015, 10 patients who were diagnosed with Kummell disease underwent MPVCR treatment, and their medical records were retrospectively collected. Every patient had follow-up for at least one year, with an average of 15 months. Clinical efficacy of MPVCR treatment was evaluated by kyphotic Cobb’s angle, Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score.

RESULTS: Data analyses showed that operation time was 188.39±30.8 minutes, and blood loss was 860±130 mL with 600±200 mL of blood transfusions. VAS score decreased significantly after MPVCR surgery (p<0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). In addition, data analyses showed that postoperative ODI was less than preoperative ODI, which was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). X-ray radiograph showed that kyphotic Cobb’s angle was 45°±12° preoperatively, 10°±4° two weeks after surgery, and 15°±6° at last follow-up, indicating that Cobb’s angle after MPVCR surgery was significantly improved, compared to the preoperative scores (p<0.05, SNK-q test).

CONCLUSIONS: MPVCR surgery was an effective and safe surgical method to treat Kummell disease, especially for patients with kyphotic deformity and obvious nerve-oppressed symptoms. However, the long-term clinical effect still needs further studies.

Keywords: Follow-Up Studies, Osteoporotic Fractures, Spine, Surgical Procedures, Operative