Partial federal government shutdown
HCA does not anticipate any immediate impacts to our services or disruption to provider payments at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates if anything changes.
Vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and sacroplasty
Vertebroplasty involves injection of bone cement into a partially collapsed vertebral body, while kyphoplasty involves expansion of the partially collapsed vertebral body with an inflatable bone tamp, in an effort to relieve pain and provide stability. Sacroplasty involves surgical treatment that attempts to repair sacral insufficiency fractures using bone cement.
Vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and sacroplasty, (VKS) was first reviewed by the HTA program in 2011.
- In 2016, an update literature review of VKS research was conducted to determine if newly available evidence published since 2011 was likely to change the original coverage determination. The technology was not selected for rereview.
- In 2017, a supplement to the 2016 literature review was published. The technology was not selected for rereview.
- In 2020, a second update literature review was conducted to determine if evidence published since 2017 was likely to change the original determination. The technology was not selected for rereview.
- In 2023, the HCA director selected VKS for rereview based on newly available evidence published which could change the original coverage determination.
Status: Decision complete
Why is VKS being reviewed?
These surgical procedures are less invasive than other spinal surgical procedures, but more invasive than conservative medical therapy. Significant questions remain about the safety, efficacy, effectiveness (particularly long term and appropriate selection and therapy phase), and the cost effectiveness of vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and sacroplasty.
Primary criteria ranking
- Safety = Medium
- Efficacy = Medium
- Cost = Medium
Documentation
| Type | Materials |
|---|---|
| Assessment (2024) | |
| Update literature (2020) | |
| Update literature supplement (2017) | |
| Update literature (2016) | |
| Assessment (2010) |
* Due to file size, Appendix 2 is only available by request. |
Assessment timeline
- Draft key questions published: April 4, 2024
- Public comment period: April 4 to April 17, 2024
- Final key questions published: May 15, 2024
- Draft report published: September 4, 2024
- Public comment period: September 4 to October 3, 2024
- Final report published: October 18, 2024
- HTCC public meeting: January 31, 2025
- Draft findings and decision published: February 6, 2025
- Public comment period: February 6 to 20, 2025
- Final findings and decision published: April 3, 2025
All future dates are estimates and subject to change.