title: Percutaneous laser discectomy.
abstract: A variety of lasers have been employed to perform the percutaneous laser discectomy procedure, including Nd:YAG and the KTP/532. They all can effect a tract through the annulus and nucleus that is believed to reduce disc pressure under load. Although success rates following laser discectomy range between 70% and 80%, criteria for selecting patients are rather vague. Newer technology employing visualization within the disc vice fiberoptics is of questionable benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Quigley
mesh_terms: D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome