Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med (2008) 1:84–87 DOI 10.1007/s12178-007-9010-3 Percutaneous vertebral compression fracture management with polyethylene mesh-contained morcelized allograft bone Stewart M. Kerr Æ Benjamin Liechty Æ Ravi Patel Æ James S. Harrop Published online: 15 November 2007 Humana Press 2007 Abstract Study design A comprehensive systematic review of the literature. Objectives To assess the modern literature on the use of polyethylene mesh-contained morcelized allograft (PMCMA) bone for spinal fusion and vertebral compression fracture management. Summary of background data There are presently no systematic reviews of PMCMA. Methods A systematic literature review was performed within three databases (OVID, PubMed, and Google Scholar) using the following keyword search terms: vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, vertebral com- pression fracture, percutaneous, polyethylene mesh, and osteoporosis. Results The initial search identiﬁed 764 items, from which two pertinent technique-based articles were identiﬁed. There were no published scientiﬁc peer- reviewed or case series reporting the clinical results of this technique. The use of PMCMA in the management of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) is similar to vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. This novel, percutaneous system uses the properties of granular mechanics to establish a conforming, semirigid graft that is purport- edly capable of withstanding physiologic loads. Discussion PMCMA is a novel percutaneous technology for the management of VCF and possibly for use as a conforming interbody graft. The available published liter- ature lacks outcome data of the use of PMCMA. Careful, independent research is needed to assess the viability of this technology and its long-term results. S. M. Kerr B. Liechty R. Patel J. S. Harrop (&) Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA e-mail: ejharrop@aol.com Keywords Vertebral compression fracture Vertebroplasty Kyphoplasty Percutaneous Polyethylene mesh Osteoporosis Abbreviations PMCMA Polyethylene mesh-contained morcelized allograft VCF Vertebral compression fracture PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate Introduction Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) represent a major cause of morbidity in patients affected by osteoporosis. It is estimated that about 700,000 patients suffer from VCFs each year in the United States and, as the population ages, the incidence is expected to rise accordingly [1, 2]. The cost of osteoporotic fractures represents a substantial por- tion of healthcare spending, with a reported cost of over $13.8 billion in 1995 [3]. Out of that total, osteoporotic VCFs are believed to account for $700 million per year [1]. Traditional management of symptomatic VCFs has involved a combination of analgesics, bed rest, orthotic bracing, and physical therapy [4–6]. Although these treat- ments are generally effective, there are indeed cases that require an alternative approach. In recent years, minimally invasive surgical techniques such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have been developed; they are becoming increasingly popular as management options for this common condition. Vertebroplasty is performed in an effort to stabilize the injured bone. It involves the percu- taneous injection of bone cement, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), into the injured vertebral body. This imparts