Ho: Yag laser-assisted lumbar disc decompression: a minimally invasive procedure under local anesthesia.

ABSTRACT

The morbidity associated with open procedures for lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse has led to the development of minimally invasive techniques. Ho LADD (Laser-assisted disc decompression) is a very cost-effective minimally invasive procedure. The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. The patient can be mobilized immediately after the surgery. The study involved 36 cases treated with Ho LADD for contained lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse. 35 cases were available for follow-up. There was a 91.5% success rate and a minimal complication rate. All cases adhered to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and were evaluated with the modified Macnab criteria for the assessment of postoperative results.