The Long-Term Effects of Plasma Disc Coagulation Therapy for Cervical Disc Hernia
Sibel Özcan1, Arzu Muz2, Serhat Taskin1
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
Insights
Plasma disc coagulation therapy (PDCT) effectively reduces pain and disc volume in patients with lumbar and cervical disc hernia (CDH). This minimally invasive treatment shows promising long-term results for selected patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Spinal Disorders
Background:
- Plasma disc coagulation therapy (PDCT) is increasingly used for lumbar and cervical disc hernia (CDH).
- Long-term outcomes of PDCT for CDH require further documentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of PDCT on pain scores, disc volume, and patient satisfaction in CDH patients.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of PDCT for CDH treatment.
Main Methods:
- Eighty patients with CDH underwent PDCT.
- Pain scores (VAS) were recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.
- Patient satisfaction (Odom's criteria) and disc volume were assessed at 12 months.
Main Results:
- A significant, time-dependent decrease in VAS scores was observed, from 6.5 ± 0.9 to 3.4 ± 0.2 (p<0.01).
- Higher VAS scores were noted in extruded discs compared to bulging/protruded discs (p<0.05).
- At 12 months, 50% of patients reported excellent outcomes, and disc volume decreased in those with excellent results (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
- PDCT is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for selected CDH patients.
- The therapy leads to significant pain reduction and disc volume decrease.
- Positive long-term outcomes support PDCT for specific CDH indications.
Objectives:
Recently, plasma disc coagulation therapy (PDCT) has been used in the treatment of lumbar and cervical disc hernia (CDH), but the long-term effects of PDCT have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of PDCT on pain score, disc volume and patient satisfaction in patients with CDH.
Methods:
Eighty patients with CDH, who underwent PDCT treatment, were included in the study. The patients demographics and pain scores (visual analog scale-VAS) were recorded on the baseline and in the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th month after PDCT treatment. We evaluated patient satisfaction and disc volume on the 12th month after PDCT.
Results:
A statistically significant and time-dependent decrease was determined in VAS score. The initial mean VAS score was 6.5 ± 0.9, and it decreased to 3.4 ± 0.2 on the final follow-up (p<0.01). According to magnetic resonance imaging pathology, VAS score after PDCT was higher in patients with an extruded disc when compared to patients with bulging and protruded discs at all times (p<0.05). After 12 months, 50 % of the patients were reported as excellent and 8.7 % of the patients reported as poor based on the Odoms' criteria. Disc volume decreased after PDCT treatment in the patients who reported that they were excellent based on the Odoms' criteria (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated that PDCT is a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment technique for adequately selected patients with CDH.
