OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to establish reasonable indications of patient neurological manifestations for use of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD). BACKGROUND DATA: PLDD is a less invasive surgical procedure for lumbar disc hernia, whose indications have been described on the basis of radiographical findings. METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive patients (45 men and 20 women) with lumbar disc hernia were treated with PLDD by applying a diode laser (wavelength 805 nm). A total of 450-1,205 joules (average, 805.5 joules) were delivered per disc. All patients suffered from radicular pain. They were divided based on the presence of Lasegue's sign. The post-procedure results at 1 week and 1 year were compared between the groups. RESULTS: PLDD was effective for patients with Lasegue's sign (80.0%), but ineffective for those without the sign. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that Lasegue's sign in patients is an indication of PLDD for lumbar disc hernia.
OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to establish reasonable indications of patient neurological manifestations for use of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD). BACKGROUND DATA: PLDD is a less invasive surgical procedure for lumbar disc hernia, whose indications have been described on the basis of radiographical findings. METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive patients (45 men and 20 women) with lumbar disc hernia were treated with PLDD by applying a diode laser (wavelength 805 nm). A total of 450-1,205 joules (average, 805.5 joules) were delivered per disc. All patients suffered from radicular pain. They were divided based on the presence of Lasegue's sign. The post-procedure results at 1 week and 1 year were compared between the groups. RESULTS:PLDD was effective for patients with Lasegue's sign (80.0%), but ineffective for those without the sign. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that Lasegue's sign in patients is an indication of PLDD for lumbar disc hernia.