Another option to treat Kümmell’s disease with cord compression

The efficiency of short-segment fixation with transpedicle body augmenter (a titanium spacer with bone-ingrowth porous surface, TpBA) to treat Kümmell's disease with cord compression (stage III) was retrospectively evaluated. No laminectomy or instrumentation reduction was done. Inclusion criteria included Frankel CDE, single-level within T10-L2. FU rate was 88%, i.e. 21 cases were included. Frankel function classification was 6E9D6C. Mean age was 72+/-8 years. F:M was 16:5. FU period was 48 M (range, 30-76 M). The hospitalization was 4.5+/-2.2 days; operation time, 70.4+/-17.2 min; blood loss, 150+/-72 cc. Final Frankel class was 20E1D. Complications included two superficial infection and one pneumonia. Body height and kyphosis were all corrected significantly and well preserved at the final visit. No TpBA dislodgement or implant failure was noted; however, three cases developed new compression fractures. The clinical outcome showed 81% with P1 or P2 by Denis pain scale. This method can decompress spinal canal, maintain kyphosis correction and vertebral restoration, prevent implant failure, and attain good clinical results.