Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD)

Dr. Jonathan Hall

Dr. Hall is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon that specializes in treating patients that suffer from neck pain or back pain. He is able to perform minimally invasive spine surgery and the most complex procedures.

What Is PLDD?

Percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) is a procedure that Florida Surgery Consultants can offer thanks to the experienced team of board-certified neurosurgeons on staff. This is often used to treat patients suffering from severe herniated discs (bulging disc in the spine). PLDD relieves (decompresses) pressure inside the disc and reduces the bulge. It can provide significant pain relief in the lower back and the legs.

To perform this procedure, a neurosurgeon must pass a side-firing laser probe through specific regions of the cervical disc or lumbar area under X-ray control. The laser is then used to vaporize excess disc material and reduce the resulting inflammation in the disc.

The History of PLDD

There are an increasing number of patients that are interested in seeking a viable alternative to traditional open-spine surgery for their spinal conditions. While we don’t want you to think of it as a miracle cure, laser spine surgery could be a viable route to the pain relief that you have been seeking for so long. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with one of our neurosurgeons to discuss, please call (888) 411-6824 or use the quick and easy consultation form on this page.

Our surgical team has decades of experience and are always happy to talk to patients about laser spine surgery and whether it is viable for their medical condition. Many are surprised to learn that this procedure was first used nearly 30 years ago.

In 1986, Daniel Choy and Peter Ascher pioneered laser spine surgery when they performed the first percutaneous laser disk decompression (PLDD) at the University of Graz’s Neurosurgical Department in Austria.

What Is PLDD Most Often Used To Treat?

Herniated discs (or lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus) remain the most common reason for people to seek percutaneous laser disc decompression and it’s a very effective. Thanks to advanced medical technology, better equipment and more precise lasers, our neurosurgeons are able to offer laser spine surgery as a solution for a greater range of back problems in Florida.

PLDD Can Also Be Used to Treat

Modern medical technology really has come a long way, which means that we can now use this form of laser spine surgery for:

Decompressing the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.
Laser-assisted posterior cervical foraminotomies.
Laser-assisted anterior cervical corpectomy for cervical myelopathy patients with multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Discectomy for lateral and foraminal cervical disk herniation.
Laser ablation of spinal growths such as tumors and vascular lesions.

Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD) Success Rate

Pain Relief: Studies have shown varying results, with success rates ranging from 60% to 80% in terms of pain relief and symptom improvement after PLDD.
Patient Satisfaction: Many patients who experience successful outcomes report high levels of satisfaction due to the less invasive nature of the procedure and the shorter recovery period.
Comparison with Other Procedures: When compared with traditional surgical methods, PLDD can offer comparable relief for carefully selected patients. However, it might not be as effective for all types of disc herniations.

Factors Affecting Success:

Patient Selection: The success of PLDD is highly dependent on patient selection. It’s generally more successful for patients with contained disc herniations (where the outer layer of the disc is not ruptured) and less effective for large extrusions or sequestrations.
Technique and Experience: The surgeon’s experience and the precise technique used can influence the outcome.
Nature of the Herniation: The size, location, and type of disc herniation play crucial roles in the procedure’s success.

Considerations:

Complications: As with any procedure, there are potential complications, though they are relatively rare with PLDD. These might include infection, nerve damage, or discitis (inflammation of the intervertebral disc).
Recurrence: There’s a chance that symptoms might recur after the procedure, necessitating further interventions.
Not a Cure-all: PLDD might not resolve all symptoms or be suitable for all patients. A comprehensive evaluation is essential to determine if PLDD is the best option.

In summary, while PLDD has shown promise as a less invasive alternative to traditional disc surgeries, its success is influenced by various factors. Potential candidates should thoroughly discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives with their spine specialists to make an informed decision.

Do You Qualify for PLDD in Florida?

Despite what some may believe, the eligibility criteria for percutaneous laser disc decompression is similar to traditional open spine surgery in Florida. Here’s a quick breakdown of what your surgeon is looking for:

Patient should be at least 18 years old, but can’t be older than 70.
They are suffering from a pinched nerve and inflammation in the cervical spine as a result of disc herniation (known as cervical radiculopathy).
They are suffering from chronic back pain as a result of cervical disc herniation (known as sciatica).
They patient has attempted to treat their spinal condition with more conservative methods and these have not produced results.
The patient has a disc herniation with a diameter that is less than one-third that of the central spinal canal.
They also can’t have a condition known as concomitant lateral recess stenosis, where there is less space in the exit doorway of the spinal canal (foramen).

Getting Prepped for PLDD

If you are a candidate for laser spine surgery in Florida, then you should take some time to familiarize yourself with the procedure and how it is performed. Remember that this procedure is different from percutaneous disc decompression surgery. Be sure to check out our page on that procedure if that sounds odd.

PLDD starts out like many other surgeries, with a neurosurgeon prepping the point of entry. This area of the skin will first be numbed and then the surgeon inserts a special needle into the skin. This needle will be guided into the herniated disc by using an advanced video x-ray device called a “fluoroscope.”

What are the long term satisfaction rates?

This laser surgery is over 70% effective in treating back pain after 5 years.

When can you return to work after PLDD surgery?

You will be able to return to work the next day, it is a minimally invasive spine procedure.

Does laser spine surgery hurt?

This procedure is done under anesthesia in our outpatient surgery center. Since is done through a needle the surgery is minimally invasive and is a lot less painful than open spine surgery.

What To Expect After the Surgery

This is a minimally invasive form of spine surgery, so the incision is easily bandaged up by the surgical team after they’re done. Patients are kept under observation for a short period of time at the surgical center, then they are promptly released so that can go back home and rest. Your surgeon will meet with you after the surgery in order to provide detailed instructions for your recovery period. Please be sure to follow these guidelines carefully.

If you have any questions about percutaneous laser disc decompression or other neurological procedures we specialize in at Florida Surgery Consultants, please give us a call at (888) 411-6824 or you can use the form on this page to easily schedule a consultation with a board certified neurosurgeon here in Florida.