Our study aimed to provide updated and comprehensive evidence on the complications associated with the use of cement-augmented pedicle screws (CAPS) in osteoporosis patients undergoing spinal instrumentation.

Databases of PubMed, Embase, Ovoid, and Google Scholar were screened from January 2000-February 2020 for studies reporting complications of CAPS in osteoporosis patients. Pooled estimates (with 95% confidence intervals) were calculated.

Twenty studies were included. The pooled risk of screw loosening, screw breakage and screw migration was 2.0% (0.2%-4.9%), 0.6% (0%-2.0%) and 0.2% (0%-1.2%) respectively. On pooling of data from 1277 patients, we found the risk of all cement leakage to be 21.8% (6%-43.1%). However, data from 1654 patients indicated the risk of symptomatic cement leakage was 1.2% (0.6%-1.9%). The incidence of pulmonary embolism was 3.0% (0.5%-6.8%) while the risk of symptomatic pulmonary embolism was 0.8% (0.2%-1.5%). Pooled risk of neurovascular complications was 1.6% (0.3%-3.6%), adjacent compression fracture was 3.3% (1.2%-6.2%) and infectious complications was 3.1% (1.1%-5.7%). There were high heterogeneity and variability in the study outcomes.

The incidence of screw-related complications like loosening, breakage, and migration with the use of CAPS in spinal instrumentation of osteoporotic patients is low. The risk of cement leakage is high and variable but the incidence of symptomatic cement leakage and related neurovascular or pulmonary complications is low. Further studies using homogenous methods of reporting are needed to strengthen current evidence.

II, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.