Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression

This practical guide, beautifully illustrated with line drawings and images throughout, covers the basic science, laser physics, patient selection, diagnostic maneuvers and useful imaging methods of PLDD. In addition, step-by-step instructions are given on needle placement, how to enter difficult discs, and delivery of laser energy. Also included are chapters on possible complications and how to manage them, when to consider a repeat procedure, as well as long term rehabilitation.

This book provides easy-to-use guidelines and how-to-do instructions on the benefits and risks of laser application, decision-making and patient selection and especially on the clinical application of lasers. It thoroughly covers the areas of arthroscopic surgery, spine surgery and open surgery.

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy is a new surgical method for treating lumbar disc diseases. The goal of the procedure is decompression of the spinal nerve root by percutaneous removal of the nucleus pulposus under local anesthesia. Probably 20 % of all patients requiring lumbar disc surgery can be successfully treated by this method. During the past two years, percutaneous discectomy has spread rapidly, and it is now performed in most clinical departments engaged in spinal surgery. The first International Symposium on Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy, held in Berlin in August 1988, covered all current procedures known as "percutaneous discectomy" and the entire range of percutaneous techniques, both clinical and experimental. Its publication is important because of the recency of this new surgical procedure, the outstanding experience of the speakers - including the Japanese, American, and European "pioneers" of the technique - and last but not least the gaps in the knowledge of physicians concerning this topic. This procedure opens up new perspectives in the surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.

iSpine is unique in its presentation of interventional spine, employing a disease-based or specific structure injury model. Expert clinicians take you through theÜ full gamut of painful spine conditions, detailing historical features, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, imaging studies, and the latest treatment interventions. Spine biomechanics and ergonomic principles are also covered to promote strategies for reducing spine strain and minimizing the risk of recurrent injury. Containing hundreds of fluoroscopic images and other illustrations, iSpine provides a practical, procedural approach to the diagnosis and treatment of painful spine disorders. The contributing national and international authors are drawn from multiple specialties - including physiatry, anesthesiology, radiology, biomechanical engineering, physical therapy, orthopedics, neurosurgery, internal medicine, and rheumatology - reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of outcomes-oriented interventional spine care. iSpine belongs on the shelf of any clinician practicing high-yield state-of-the-art interventional spine medicine, using the best available evidence to accurately diagnose, optimally treat, and minimize the healthcare costs associated with these disorders. Features of iSpine Include: Technical instructions for performing procedures including hundreds of fluoroscopic images and other illustrations Chapters discuss innovative new technologies and spinal applications, such as intradiscal biologic agents for degenerative lumbar discs and augmentation of pelvic insufficiency fractures Critical analysis of the literature on interventional spine care Chapters written by internationally recognized experts

This book describes and illustrates state-of-the-art techniques in laser spine surgery. Laser technology has revolutionized surgeries in many specialties to perform minimally invasive and cutting-edge procedures. Recent advances in spinal surgery have led to the increasingly widespread use of minimally invasive techniques based on endoscopy and microscopy. Nevertheless, the application of laser in the context of spinal surgery remains less well known, and the aim of this book is to present practical usage of laser in spine surgery to our readers. A wide variety of minimally invasive approaches to spine surgery using CO2, Ho: YAG, and Nd: YAG lasers are presented in detail, with a discussion of equipment and specific recommendations on laser settings. Care has been taken to ensure that the content is faithful to the fundamental principles of spine surgery and evidence-based medicine. The book will be an essential resource for all who use or are intending to use lasers in spine surgery.

This easy-to-consult guide examines the most advanced techniques in the radiological evaluation of the disc and degenerative disc disease, using conventional, functional, dynamic and advanced imaging. It provides clear information on a range of CT, X-ray, and MRI guided techniques, presents all disc treatments in connection with symptomatic disc herniations, evaluates conservative, chemical (ESI, steroid, Ozone, ethanol gel injections) and physical treatments (coblation, laser, decompressors, endoscopy), and assesses the possibility of repairing and/or regenerating the disc in the context of reversible disc degeneration. Like other books in the Springer series New Procedures in Spinal Interventional Neuroradiology, this practice-oriented volume will fill a significant gap in the literature and meet the need expressed by many specialists (interventional neuroradiologists and radiologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedists) for a topical and handy guide that specifically illustrates the currently available materials and methods.

This book details the current status of cervical MISS for expert surgeons, young surgeons or clinicians, and residents and fellows with little or no experience on this field of surgery. Because of the involvement of different and highly trained specialists from all over the world, the aim of this book is to satisfy the requirements for knowing the most advanced surgical techniques and their application. Also included are the indications and surgical techniques involving an open standard approach, giving a most exhaustive knowledge of the cervical spine surgery. Due to the difficulty of finding books with both minimal invasive cervical spine surgery and more conventional standard “open” surgery, the benefit of this book is to permit the surgeons and residents and medical doctors, to have a more complete and immediate knowledge of the topics. Due to the scientific multidisciplinary nature of the MISS, several professionals such as orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists and pain management specialists, have been involved in order to create a book in which all the aspects of MISS have been treated.