Nonfusion Intracorporeal Enhancement System for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures–Preliminary Clinical Result of a Novel Technique

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether implantation of a newly designed nonfusion intracorporeal enhancement (NICE) system is an effective and safe way to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). METHODS: Thirteen patients with OVCF (10 women, 3 men; mean age 69 years, T11-L4) were included. From June 2014 to June 2016, all patients were treated with the NICE system. The clinical and radiologic results were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 24 months follow-up based on the visual analog scale and the Oswestry Disability Index, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography (height of fractured body and kyphosis Cobb angle). RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in pain intensity (visual analog scale score decreased from 8.3 preoperatively to 2.2 postoperatively, and decreased to 1.5 twenty-four months postoperatively). Also, a significant reduction was observed in that the mean Oswestry Disability Index decreased from 71.9% preoperatively to 17.6% after 24 months. The mean Cobb angle had a significant improvement, which decreased from 6.6 degrees preoperatively to 1.3 degrees postoperatively and then decreased to 1.2 degrees after 24 months. Height of fractured body improved significantly from 66.4% to 86.5% and slightly decreased to 82.4% after 24 months. No specific complications were identified to be associated with this technique. CONCLUSIONS: With a low complication rate, the clinical midterm results are satisfactory. The treatment of symptomatic OVCF with the NICE system is a safe and effective procedure.