Percutaneous LASER Disc Decompression for Lumbar Disc Herniations: Preliminary Report

ABSTRACT

After attempts of percutaneous laser disc decompression on 14 patients of lumbar disc herniations, disappointing results were recorded as follows, 2 cases(14.2%) were considered excellent, 2 cases(14.2%) good, 2 cases(14.2%) fair and 8 cases(57.1%) poor. While successfully treated patients had minimal subligamentous extension of nucleus pulposus, failed cases had moderate to severe subligamentous extension of nucleus pulposus through the annular tearing. In preliminary conclusion of percutaneous laser disc decompression, successful result can be expected only on the minimal subligamentous extension cases, and chemonucleolysis will be better choice for the moderate to severe subligamentous extension cases.