Evaluation of the Efficacy of Epiduroscopic Laser Neural Discectomy in Lumbar Disc Herniations: Retrospective Analysis of 163 Cases- Evaluation of the Efficacy of ELND

Background. Epiduroscopy, or spinal endoscopy, is the visualisation of the epidural space using a percutaneous and minimally invasive imaging fiberoptic device. Recently, as a result of some studies, it has been reported that laser therapy with epiduroscopic laser neural discectomy (ELND) was applied during multiple lesions. Methods. In this study, ELND performed between January 2012 and July 2016 at the Algology Clinic of the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, was examined retrospectively. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were recorded preoperatively, as well as after 2 weeks and 2, 6, and 12 months after the ELND. Results. According to the preoperative VAS and ODI scores, the decrease in postoperative 2nd week, 2nd, 6th, and 12th month VAS and ODI scores was significant p = 0.001 . Similarly, according to the postoperative 2nd week VAS and ODI scores, decrease in postoperative 6th and 12th VAS and ODI scores was significant p = 0.001 . Conclusions. As a result, ELND with Holmium: YAG laser, which is a new technique in patients with lumbar disc herniated low back and/or leg pain, can reduce VAS and ODI scores from 2 weeks without any complications that open surgery can bring with it. We believe that it is a useful and advanced technique in treatment of lumbar disc herniation and has low complication rates that provides maximum efficacy from the first year.

Evaluation of a fiberoptic intracranial pressure monitor

✓ The fiberoptic device is a relatively new type of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor which appears to offer certain advantages over conventional monitoring systems, particularly its ability to measure brain parenchymal pressures. This study was undertaken to analyze the accuracy and drift characteristics of the fiberoptic device and to compare pressures in the subdural, intraparenchymal, and intraventricular compartments. The device was accurate to ± 3 mm Hg over a 0- to 30-mm Hg range in vitro. The maximum daily drift was ± 2.5 mm Hg, with an average daily drift of ± 0.6 mm Hg and an average drift over a 5-day period of ± 2.1 mm Hg. In vivo, the pressures and waveform characteristics obtained with the fiberoptic device and with a strain-gauge transducer connected to a ventriculostomy were very similar. Alterations in ICP were induced by various therapeutic and pathological manipulations, and the pressures in the three intracranial compartments were compared. Changes in ICP appeared to be reflected simultaneously and equally in all three compartments. Furthermore, changes in ICP secondary to a unilateral mass lesion were identical in both supratentorial parenchymal compartments when measured simultaneously. It is concluded that the fiberoptic device is an accurate and reliable system for ICP monitoring; the pressures recorded in the subdural, intraparenchymal, and intraventricular compartments paralleled each other in all of the physiological and pathological states tested. Although the drift associated with this device is less than that reported for previously available systems, its maximal cumulative drift over a 5-day period of ± 6 mm Hg is significant. Since the fiberoptic device cannot be recalibrated in situ, it is suggested that the device be replaced if monitoring is to be continued for periods longer than 5 days.