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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Transtubular Endoscopic Posterolateral Decompression for L5-S1 Lumbar Lateral Disc Herniation
Published on: October 14, 2022
Percutaneous laser disc decompression for lumbar disc hernia: indications based on Lasegue's Sign
Koichi Iwatsuki1, Toshiki Yoshimine, Kunio Awazu
1Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan. kiwatsuki@nsurg.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Objective:
The present study was conducted to establish reasonable indications of patient neurological manifestations for use of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD).
Background Data:
PLDD is a less invasive surgical procedure for lumbar disc hernia, whose indications have been described on the basis of radiographical findings.
Methods:
Sixty-five consecutive patients (45 men and 20 women) with lumbar disc hernia were treated with PLDD by applying a diode laser (wavelength 805 nm). A total of 450-1,205 joules (average, 805.5 joules) were delivered per disc. All patients suffered from radicular pain. They were divided based on the presence of Lasegue's sign. The post-procedure results at 1 week and 1 year were compared between the groups.
Results:
PLDD was effective for patients with Lasegue's sign (80.0%), but ineffective for those without the sign.
Conclusion:
The present study suggests that Lasegue's sign in patients is an indication of PLDD for lumbar disc hernia.
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