NONABLATIVE LASER IRRADIATION OF THE LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS AFTER MICRODISCECTOMY AS A METHOD OF RECURRENT DISC HERNIATION REDUCTION
To investigate outcomes associated with nonablative laser irradiation of the intervertebral discs as a method of reduction of recurrent disc herniations after lumbar microdiscectomy with 3-9 years follow-up. METHoDs. A total of 259 patiens were treated for herniated lumbar discs from 2005 to 2010. 159 patients after microdiscectomy were treated by method of nondestructive irradiation of the operated intervertebral disc using Er:glass fiber laser. Patient measures included visual analogue scales for leg and back pain, oswestry Disability Index. subsequent reherniation surgical procedures were documented. REsULTs. There was no significant effect of gender and age of patients in the recurrence rate. More frequently recurrent herniations were observed at L4-L5 level. Patient symptoms were improved after surgery in an equivalent manner in both study groups. In the overall study analysis, the rate of reherniation surgery was lower for laser irradiation patients (5,7 and 7% respectively). overall reherniation period was 1,3 year in laser irradiation group and 2,8 in control group. The results of histological analysis demonstrate the formation of new cartilage tissue of the fibrous-hyaline and hyaline types in the intervertebral discs treated by laser irradiation. conclusions. Nonablative laser irradiation of the intervertebral discs has shown efficiency at an nine-year follow-up.