Background:

The non-operative treatment of herniated intervertebral discs has long been a fundamental challenge. A novel technique of laser ablation to ablate the nucleus pulposus under a transforaminal epiduroscope (TELA system, Lutronics, Seoul, Republic of Korea) was recently developed.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) for selective ablation of the nucleus pulposus in single-level disc disease.

Study design:

Prospective case control studySETTING: Multicenter studyMETHODS: This study included a group of 56 patients who underwent transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) and 56 patients who underwent selective transforaminal epidural block (STEB) for single-level disc disease. Visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and SF-12 were assessed at admission and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results:

The mean VAS of back pain was lower for the TELA group than for the STEB group 12 months postoperative (P < 0.05). The mean ODI was lower in the TELA group than in the STEB group at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). There were no major complications related to the TELA and STEB procedures.

Limitations:

The primary limitation is a small sample size. The control group was created from a database which was prospectively collected in a different time line.

Conclusions:

The TELA procedure is superior to the STEB procedure in terms of patients reporting less pain and better quality of life over a year. TELA may be a reasonable alternative to conventional interventions or open surgery in single-level disc disease.

Key words:

Laser-assisted spinal endoscopy, disc decompression, Nd:YAG laser, laser ablation, intervertebral disc disease, lumbar spine.