Early effects of vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty versus conservative treatment of vertebral compression fractures in elderly polytrauma patients

This study aims to assess the early effects of operatively and nonoperatively managed vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) in elderly polytrauma patients. A multi-center retrospective cohort study of operative treatment [vertebroplasty (VP) or kyphoplasty (KP)] versus nonoperative treatment (bed rest). A total of 40 patients received operative treatment and 59 patients received nonoperative treatment. The mean length of hospital stay was 15.53 ± 6.994 days in the operative and 19.54 ± 12.012 days in the nonoperative group (P = 0.039). The incidence of complication was higher in the nonoperative group than the operative group (P = 0.009), especially the incidence of bed rest complication (P = 0.024). Mortality rate was not significant difference between two groups (P = 0.172). For VCFs in elderly polytrauma patients, VP or KP can reduce length of hospital stay and complications, especially bed rest complication compared with nonoperative treatment.