What Are the Risk Factors for Adjacent Vertebral Fracture After Vertebral Augmentation? A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies

Study Design: Meta-analysis. Objectives: To provide up-to-date evidence-based outcomes for the incidence and risk factors of adjacent vertebral fracture (AVF) after the vertebral augmentation. Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies assessing the risk factors of adjacent vertebral fracture after vertebral augmentation until June 2020. The AVF incidence and factors potentially affecting AVF were extracted and pooled. Results: A total of 16 studies, encompassing 2549 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of AVF was 14% after vertebral augmentation. Female, lower T-score, thoracolumbar junction fracture, intravertebral cleft, more injected cement volume, intradiscal cement leakage significantly increased the risk of AVF. Age, body mass index, steroid medication, Cobb angle change, postoperative Cobb angle showed no significant association with AVF. Conclusions: Identifying the risk factors of AVF can facilitate prevention strategy to avoid the AVF. Female, T-score, thoracolumbar junction fracture, intravertebral cleft, more cement volume, and intradiscal cement leakage increased the risk of AVF.