'SKyphoplasty': A Single Institution's Initial Experience

PURPOSE The treatment of painful compression fractures has been revolutionized by vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, two recently developed techniques that continue to evolve. This article describes a new device for the performance of kyphoplasty that uses a polymer device rather than a balloon to create a void in the bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS In nine consecutive patients, kyphoplasty was performed at 12 vertebral levels with osteoporotic compression with use of the new SKy bone expander polymer device. RESULTS The device was successful in creating a void in the bone at all levels. The procedure was also effective in alleviating pain from compression fractures. There were no technical failures or complications. CONCLUSION The SKy bone expander polymer device is effective and safe for the performance of kyphoplasty to alleviate pain from vertebral compression fractures.