ABSTRACT
For the past years, new therapeutic options have been proposed secondary to the progress in the interventional imaging. The purpose of this article is to report a preliminary study on the use of the 1.5 mm "Dekompressor probe" (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) in the percutaneous discectomy by decompression. We have conducted, from September 2003 to March 2004, a retrospective review on 10 patients (mean age of 49.8), chosen at random, presenting a nonextruded herniated disc resisting all medical treatments. The procedure is CT guided or performed under fluorosocopy, a discography is performed by introducing the probe at the level of the protruded disc. After local anesthesia, an incision of a few millimeters is performed, allowing the introduction of a coxial trocar to the level of the disc. The decompression probe is then introduced. No technical failure occurred. The results in our series show, in eight patients, a satisfactory result with a decrease of the initial VAS of more than 70% and a complete elimination of the medical therapy. Our preliminary results are encouraging but should also be confirmed by a multicentric based on a large series, and the criteria of inclusion or exclusion must be strictly respected to obtain satisfactory clinical results.
