The article discusses the use of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) using the Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of herniated cervical discs. The study included 93 patients with a total of 178 herniated discs who had failed conservative treatment and required surgical intervention. The procedure involved inserting a needle into the affected disc and delivering laser energy to decompress it. According to the results, 90% of the patients experienced improvement according to the MacNab criteria and were able to return to work the following day. There was only one reported complication, a retro-esophageal abscess that was successfully treated. The study concludes that PLDD is an effective and relatively non-invasive treatment option for cervical disc herniations, but should only be performed by a qualified and experienced interventionist
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : most specialised treatment facility in UK
Published article
PLDD of cervical disc herniations is effective and relatively non-invasive, and has a low complication rate. Because of the complexity of vital adjacent anatomic structures, it should only be performed after intensive training by a qualified interventionist with appropriate experience.
Laser Spine Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Objective: This is a report on 178 herniated cervical discs in 93 patients treated with percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) using the Nd:YAG laser at the Laser Spine Center from November 1994 to October 2003. Materials and methods: Patients with MRI documented disc herniations in the cervical spine who had failed conservative treatment and,
Abstract
Objective: This is a report on 178 herniated cervical discs in 93 patients treated with percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) using the Nd:YAG laser at the Laser Spine Center from November 1994 to October 2003.
Materials and methods: Patients with MRI documented disc herniations in the cervical spine who had failed conservative treatment and were sufficiently symptomatic to require surgical intervention were included in the study. A Seldinger needle was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance and local anesthesia into the offending cervical disc from an anterolateral approach until the tip was just beyond the annulus. Through an optical fiber connected to an Nd:YAG laser, 300 joules were delivered to the disc. A dressing was applied and the patient sent home, to return to work the following day.
Results: According to the MacNab criteria, 90% of the patients improved. All of them were permitted to return to work the following day. One complication (0.6%) occurred: a retro-esophageal abscess that responded to incision and drainage.
PLDD of cervical disc herniations is effective and relatively non-invasive, and has a low complication rate. Because of the complexity of vital adjacent anatomic structures, it should only be performed after intensive training by a qualified interventionist with appropriate experience.
The London Spine Unit : most specialised treatment facility in UK
Read the original publication:
Cervical disc herniations and percutaneous laser disc decompression: a case report
