Procedures and questions

BALLOON KYPHOPLASTY


To date approximately 1200 of these procedures have been done throughout the world, of which 110 have been undertaken in South Africa . In Feb 2004, the 107 th Kyphoplasty was done at Midvaal Private Hospital . This was a first for the Vaal Triangle.

Indications for doing this procedure are very specific, e.g.

• Acute fractures in osteoperotic patients.
• Space ingesting (forming) lesions such as tumors.

Goal of Procedure:

• Reduction of fracture
• Reducing pain
• Stabilization of a fracture

Procedure
Operation is done by making two small incisions on the back, through which;

• A biopsy is taken,
• Under radiographic guidance a balloon is placed in the inter-vertebral space.
• The balloon reduces the fracture lines.
• Bone cement is injected into the spaces made by the balloon
• This prevents any further collapse of the vertebrae.

Advantages
Further advantages of the above procedure include:

• Minimal bloodloss during the procedure
• Little or no specific post-operative care is needed
• Patient is discharged within 24 hours of the procedure being preformed
• The procedure prevents elderly persons from developing kifosis. (Humped back.)

For further information please contact Dr. J Breytenbach at 016 454 6060 / 6000