Reduced Puncture Time and Radiation Exposure of Percutaneous Transpedicular Puncture with Electronic Conductivity Device: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES: The present study introduced an electronic conductivity device (ECD) to reduce time of percutaneous transpedicular puncture and frequency of patient valid radiation exposure in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) or percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). METHODS: A randomized self-control clinical study was undertaken. Medical records of patients with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) for bilateral PKP or PVP were collected, and each side was performed randomly with ECD or conventional trocar. RESULTS: We enrolled 61 patients (44 women, 17 men) with 75 vertebras with VCF. Compared with the conventional fluoroscopy group, significant reductions in puncture time (504.33 +/- 152.03 vs. 652.68 +/- 167.60 seconds; P < 0.001) and fluoroscopy frequency (5.11 +/- 1.23 vs. 8.15 +/- 1.83; P < 0.001) for each percutaneous puncture were observed in the ECD group. When compared with the VCFs <= 50% group, the 2 indexes in the VCFs >50% group were significantly increased. And in the ECD group, the learning curve in the VCFs >50% group showed a steeper decreasing trend than that in the VCFs <= 50% group. No complications were observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: ECD could reduce puncture time of percutaneous transpedicular puncture and exposure of radiation in PVP and PKP. ECD has more benefits in complicated transpedicular puncture in patients with vertebral compression >50%.