According to Spine Universe, balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures. During the procedure, a balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebrae and slowly inflated to return the fractured bone to its previous height. When the bone is restored to its proper position, the balloon is deflated and removed, leaving behind a small cavity inside the vertebrae. A surgeon fills that cavity with bone cement. Once hardened, the bone cement keeps the vertebrae in its proper position. Most patients treated with balloon kyphoplasty are discharged from the hospital the following day.
Pulmonary Emboli, Stroke or Cardiac Arrest
The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that the possibility of a pulmonary embolism, stroke or cardiac arrest may occur during or after a balloon kyphoplasty procedure. The most likely cause of balloon kyphoplasty associated pulmonary emboli is that a portion of the bone cement breaks off and enters the bloodstream. This is a rare but serious side effect that may require surgery to remove the piece of cement before it lodges in the heart, lungs or brain and causes cardiac arrest or a stroke.
Cement Leakage
According to Myeloma.org, another possible complication of balloon kyphoplasty is cement leakage. It is possible that the bone cement may leak into the muscle and tissue surrounding the spinal cord and cause nerve damage. In rare cases, such nerve damage may be severe enough to cause paralysis. The National Center for Biotechnology Information adds that spinal stenosis may occur if the cement leaks between two vertebrae, causing them to be cemented, or fused, together. In cases of cement leakage, surgical intervention may be required to decompress or even remove the cement causing the problem. Patients considering undergoing balloon kyphoplasty should discuss these risks with their doctors.
Infection
The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that infection may be a complication of balloon kyphoplasty. Infection may occur within or around the vertebrae. Such an infection is known as spondylitis. Patients may also develop a local infection on the skin at the site where the balloon was inserted into the spine. In cases of infection, patients are treated with antibiotics and bed rest.
