Percutaneous vertebroplasty: complication avoidance and technique optimization.

It has been 10 years since percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) was introduced clinically into the United States. The procedure has grown in acceptance and is becoming the standard of care for pain associated with compression fractures of the spine (1). It has proved effective for this purpose and is generally safe when used by well-trained and prudent physicians. We have learned of many pitfalls along the way, and students and physicians can learn from these lessons early in their careers to avoid complications and bad outcomes. This article will focus on 1) the avoidance of complications, 2) the optimization of procedure technique, and 3) the application of PV to difficult case situations.