Percutaneous laser discectomy: experience and long term follow-up

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Laser Technology in Medicine

Background:

• Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) is a common cause of back pain.
• Traditional microsurgery for HNP has largely been replaced by endoscopic and percutaneous techniques.
• Percutaneous laser disc decompression and nucleotomy are established worldwide treatments for HNP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous laser disc decompression for HNP.
• To assess the success rate in patients with therapy-resistant HNP symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A multicentric retrospective study involving 900 patients with therapy-resistant HNP.
• Utilized a 980 nm Diode laser delivered via a 21-G needle under imaging guidance and local anesthesia.
• The laser vaporized nucleous pulposus to shrink the disc and relieve nerve root pressure.

Main Results:

• A mean follow-up of 5 years (range 2-6 years) was conducted.
• The overall success rate was approximately 70%.
• The procedure demonstrated a very low complication rate.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous laser disc decompression is an effective treatment for herniated nucleus pulposus.
• The technique provides significant relief for patients with persistent, therapy-resistant HNP symptoms.
• Long-term follow-up confirms the safety and efficacy of this minimally invasive approach.