Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser-assisted ablation of lumbar discal cyst.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of CO2 laser dissection in patients who had undergone lumbar discal cyst removal.

METHODS

Clinical and radiological data were reviewed for 14 patients who underwent single lumbar level CO2 laser dissection followed by lumbar discal cyst removal between 2003 and 2008. They were followed up with plain radiographs, and their mean follow-up period was 20.1 months.

RESULTS

Patients' mean hospital stay after operation was 3.5 days. Pain scores on a visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain improved from a preoperative mean of 4.3 and 8.1 to postoperative 1.9 and 1.8, respectively (P<0.001). Clinical outcomes based on the Oswestry disability index (ODI) improved from a preoperative mean of 46.47% to 14.81% postoperatively (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that the CO2 laser could be a useful surgical tool for the surgical excision of lumbar discal cysts.