Percutaneous Cervical Laser-disc-decompression With The Semiconducting Laser: An Experimental Study

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Semiconducting laser on nucleus pulposus tissue, anular fibers and cartilaginous end-plates, adjacent tissue and biomenichcs of cervical disc in different laser energies. MethodsThe discs of 7 fresh human and 12 fresh goat cadaveric spines (C2~T1) were radiated with the semiconducting laser energies varying from 400J to 1000J in 4 group. The ablated surface area, changes in temperature at three important sits around the disc were measured and histological effects of were observed in human spine specimens. Stiffness of elongation and compression weremeasured in goat spine specimens. ResultsThe ablated surface area was significantly greater at higher radiating energies. The increase in temperature of adjacent tissue was very low ( not exceeding 2癈). There was a significant decrease in stiffness of elongation and compress after ablation of nucleus pulposus tissue. No evidence was found to show anular fibers and cartilaginous end-plates were damaged. ConclusionThe PLDD using the semiconducting laser in cervical discectomy is very safe. The results of this study also provide a basis for the use of the semiconducting lasers in percutaneous cervical discectomy.