The PLDD is a measure of size reduction and relief of the disc nucleus with the help of the laser energy. By evaporation of the gelatinous disc tissue and the simultaneous obliteration of the intervertebral disc space in secondary grown painful nerves, can be a pain reduction. The PLDD was first established in 1987 by Dr. Choy and Asher, using a Nd-YAG laser is described and has been since used worldwide in the treatment of disc disease. In the literature there are different data on the successes and failures of the method. Different laser devices with different laser properties such as cold laser (Hollmium-YAG) laser and warm (nd-YAG and diode lasers) put to use. The best results we achieved in recent years with diode laser (870 nm wavelength).
A reduction in pain by the PLDD done by the evaporation of the gelatinous disc tissue and by a pressure relief in the disc tray with simultaneous Degradation of sensitive, painful nerve within the intervertebral disc, Suppression of the production reizerregender substances in the field of the damaged intervertebral disc, Consolidation of the intervertebral disc annulus.
Due to the thermal effect of the laser can lead to injuries in cover and base plates of the intervertebral disc. Therefore, we prefer this method for the treatment of advanced disc degeneration.
Percutaneous Laserdiskusdekompression is usually an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and mild sedation. The procedure is similar to the discography - with the difference that is placed on the placement of the probe within the disc a very thin laser fiber on the probe lying in the disc. The laser procedure takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Subsequently, the disc tray is rinsed several times with sterile saline. Avoid after the injection of antibiotics to a possible infection in the disc tray, the needle is pulled out. After PLDD is a CT examination of the disc tray
