Percutaneous vertebral augmentation: vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and skyphoplasty

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a safe, inexpensive, and effective interventional vertebral augmentation technique that provides pain relief and stabilization in carefully selected patients with severe back pain due to vertebral compression. Complications from percutaneous vertebroplasty can be devastating, but are rare and avoidable with application of a meticulous technique. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has a role in the management pathway of patients presenting with painful vertebral compression fractures. Kyphoplasty uses a balloon tamp with the aim of restoring vertebral body height, improving kyphotic deformity, and creating a cavity into which bone cement is injected. Kyphoplasty is as effective and safe as vertebroplasty in treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. Skyphoplasty, a modification of kyphoplasty, is a promising new technique.