Photomedicine and laser surgery
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Photomed Laser Surg · Sep 2012
Laser-assisted posterior cervical foraminotomy and discectomy for lateral and foraminal cervical disc herniation.
Posterior cervical foraminotomy and discectomy (PCFD) is regarded as an effective treatment option for cervical radiculopathy. However, limited exposure of the disc space is one of its major disadvantages. To address this problem, we used a CO(2) laser for sophisticated decompression. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the clinical outcomes of laser-assisted PCFD and to discuss the benefits of laser use. ⋯ Laser-assisted PCFD is an efficacious surgical option for treating lateral cervical disc herniation. The pinpoint accuracy of the laser scalpel facilitates sophisticated decompression within a limited surgical field, and may reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding and neural damage.