Abstract:Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of interventional tumor removal (ITR) combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Methods A total of 76 patients with vertebral compression fractures combined spine metastatic tumors were selected in the People’s Hospital of Jieyang from October 2010 to October 2014. The patients were divided into a PVP coupled with ITR group (37 cases, 48 vertebrae) and a PVP group (39 cases, 52 vertebra) according to the different treatment methods. CT and X-ray examination were performed 3 d after operation to detect the occurrence of cement leakage. The treatment effect was evaluated according to the Visual Analogue Scales score 24 h before operation and 24 h, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 m after surgery. Besides, the volume of bone cement injected, the period of hospitalization and the occurrence of complications were collected to analyze the safety. Results PVP procedures with and without ITR were successful in all 76 patients (100 involved vertebrae). There was no complication as infection, bleeding, pulmonary embolism or cardiac arrest during or after the procedures. The clinical assessment obtained at the start and follow-up indicated that the PVP coupled with ITR provided a significantly better pain relief than PVP alone (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the overall survival duration or the average hospitalization period (P > 0.05). The volume of bone cement injected was larger but the incidence of cement leakage was significantly reduced in the PVP coupled with ITR group compared to the PVP group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Treatment of vertebral compression fractures with PVP and ITR results in good analgesia, low leakage incidence of bone cement and definite therapeutic effect. It is an effective minimally-invasive surgery for the treatment of spinal compression fractures caused by metastatic tumors.