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Laser diskectomy

Percutaneous lumbar diskectomy is a method where herniated lumbar spinal discs can be reduced/decompressed whereby pressure and chemical neuritis produced on the spinal nerve root is eliminated.  This is done by the use of endoscopic equipment which is an instrument placed into the spinal discs to view the structures as well as use of x-ray guidance at the same time.  Once the spinal disc is entered in this manner the herniated disc can be reduced by the use of either suction or a laser fiber, which can be placed into the disc.  The use of laser to vaporize the inside soft parts of the spinal disc which has herniated is the preferred method of percutaneous diskectomy.

Technological advances has produced some very fine endoscopic equipment which can be placed into the spinal disc allowing the physician to see inside the disc via video and x-ray guidance equipment.  Once inside the disc can be seen using video equipment, the soft portion of the herniated disc can be ablated using a laser beam.  LASE endoscopic diskectomy is a method by which this can be done where a small and fine endoscope is placed within the disc and using laser the internal soft central part of the disc which has herniated can be ablated. Endoscopic laser diskectomy was first FDA approved approximately 15 years ago.  Thus far more than 10,000 of these procedures have been done with greater than 80 percent success rate in treatment of contained herniated lumbar spinal discs.  This means that 80 percent of the patients treated using this method will have improved back and leg pain post procedure. The success rates in appropriately selected patients are much better utilizing this procedure than the traditional open diskectomy procedure.  To determine if a patient is a candidate for this procedure, a physician who is trained and is experienced in performing this procedure should generally evaluate the patient.

The advantages of laser diskectomy are multiple.  The incision is less than 1/4 of an inch.  There is very little chance of spinal nerve root scarring because the endoscope does not enter the spinal canal.  There is therefore no blood or inflammatory tissues such as nucleus pulposis (the central soft part of the disc that herniates) released into the spinal canal as compared to the traditional open diskectomy.  There is excellent patient acceptance where patients come to the facility at which the procedure is done and are released post procedure.  Patients generally get off the operating table and walk to the recovery room.  Generally there is no overnight hospitalization.  The procedure is minimally invasive.  The risk of general anesthesia is not a consideration since the procedure is done under intravenous sedation with good comfort.  The procedure is quite cost-effective and generally costs approximately $12,000 total versus $35,000 - $50,000 for the traditional open surgical disc removal. There may be small variations in this cost in different parts of the country.  Finally no bridges are burned in that invasive back surgery can always be done.

After the procedure the patient should be off work for approximately 4 weeks.  There should be no lifting or strenuous physical activity for this time.  Some individuals can go back to work during this time if their job requirement allows very light physical activity.  After 4 weeks normal physical activity can gradually be started and increased in intensity.

Dr. Daneshfar performs the LASE laser diskectomy at the Acute and Chronic Pain and Spine Center.  He is experienced in this procedure being the first physician to perform the LASE laser diskectomy in Northwest Texas.  Presently the procedure is not done within 300 miles of the Acute and Chronic Pain and Spine Center, which is located in Amarillo, Texas.

Dr. Daneshfar is listed on the CLARUS Medical spinal endoscpe company's  find a doctor web page.  There are only a few physicians in the United States that perform this procedure, Dr. Daneshfar is one of these physicians. To go to find a doctor web page click www.clarus-medical.com/doctor.htm

For more information please contact the Acute and Chronic Pain and Spine Center at

806-353-6100.

revised 8-23-2001

Copyright © 2002 Acute & Chronic Pain and Spine Center
Last modified: 10/12/06