Comprehensive systematic-review and meta-analysis: Treatment outcomes of unipedicular vs bipedicular approaches in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

BACKGROUND

Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure to treat persistent pain and correct deformity for early mobilisation in an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. However, there is conflicting evidence supporting the unipedicular or bipedicular approach in terms of the outcomes and complications with a recent increase in literature and no meta-analysis in this decade. This review is aimed at providing insight into the comparison between unipedicular and bipedicular approaches for making clinical decisions.

METHODS

Multiple databases were screened using the keywords: "kyphoplasty", "vertebroplasty", "unipedicular", "bipedicular", "osteoporotic fracture", and "compression fracture", and all the results were reviewed for inclusion of 20 articles and data analysis done to look for significant differences between the two approaches. The quality of the studies included is evaluated using MINORS criteria. This review is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with ID: CRD4202511004028.

RESULTS

We found no significant difference between the two groups in terms of patient-related outcomes (Visual Analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index), radiological outcomes (kyphotic angle correction or vertebral height restoration), complications (cement leakage or adjacent vertebral fractures), fluoroscopy frequency with significantly less operative time in the unipedicular group.

CONCLUSION

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, irrespective of unipedicular or bipedicular approach, are effective procedures providing pain relief and adequate functional outcomes with comparable complications, with the unilateral approach taking less operative time. However, in a clinical setting, the approach of kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty should depend on a patient's condition, fracture type and symmetry, along with the levels affected.