Balloon Kyphoplasty Surgery in Delhi, India

Before the Procedure

The doctor will take the patient's medical history, followed by a physical examination to determine the exact location and nature of the pain. Apart from this, the doctor suggests imaging tests like CT-scan or MRI scans. Additionally: 

• The patient is supposed to inform the doctor about all the medications and over-the-counter drugs.
• Inform the doctor about any history of bleeding disorders
• Inform the doctor about the intake of any anticoagulant like Aspirin
• The doctor instructs the patient not to wear any jewellery during the procedure
• It is always recommended to wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothing for undergoing this procedure.
•  Avoid eating meals at least 3 to 4 hours before the procedure.

During the Procedure

• The patient lies in the prone position on the table, and the doctor cleans the area of the spine and prepares it for the procedure. Afterwards, general anaesthesia is administered to the patient.
• A needle is inserted through the skin surface and into the spinal vertebrae. Real-time X-ray images are used to guide the specialist to the affected area in your lower back and make sure to protect the body from radiation.
• A balloon is inflated inside the vertebra to restore vertebral height & alignment of the spine.
• Bone cement is slowly injected into the vertebra, and based on how it enters the vertebra, the doctor might insert a second injection to fill it completely.

After the procedure

• The patient is made to lie on their back for some time until the cement hardens.
• The patient will likely remain in an observation room for an additional 1 to 2 hours.
• The patient may experience relief immediately after the procedure, but it might take up to 3 to 4 days. The doctor can provide the patient with over-the-counter analgesics for temporary relief.
• The doctor will monitor the condition, assess the pain, and check for possible complications.
• The patient may need to continue wearing a back brace, but it's usually unnecessary.
• The patient will come back for a follow-up appointment in a few weeks.

Balloon Kyphoplasty is generally well-tolerated, with minor complications usually occurring at a rate of 1 percent to 3 percent. But patients can face risks such as:

• Haemorrhage
• Blood loss
• Fractures of ribs or other surrounding bones
• Fever
• Nerve root irritation
• Infection
• Cement spreads outside of the bone before it hardens.

• Selecting a transpedicular route in the lumbar spine and a costovertebral junction in the thoracic spine.
• Avoiding a cortical breach whenever possible.
• Optimizing opacification of cement by following the manufacturer's recommendations and not altering recommended proportions of powder polymer and liquid polymer.
• Defining optimal cement viscosity before injection. If cement leakage occurs, cessation of the procedure is recommended.

Reviewed by Dr Akshay Kumar Saxena, Senior Consultant - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Spine Surgery on 09-Jan-2023.

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