Techniques of percutaneous laser disc decompression with the Nd:YAG laser.

The great importance of correct needle placement with appropriate radiologic monitoring is emphasized. The needle tip must be just past the annulus, and the needle itself must be parallel to the disc axis, and preferably halfway between the superior and inferior end-plates. Dosimetry is described. A novel (extrathecal) approach to the L5-S1 disc when this cannot be entered from a dorsolateral angle is described. Our technique for cervical disc PLDD is briefly described.