Carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser-assisted ablation of lumbar discal cyst

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of CO₂ laser dissection in patients who had undergone lumbar discal cyst removal. Methods: Clinical and radiological data were reviewed for 14 patients who underwent single lumbar level CO₂ laser dissection followed by lumbar discal cyst removal between 2003 and 2008. They were followed up with plain radiographs, and their mean follow-up period was 20.1 months. Results: Patients' mean hospital stay after operation was 3.5 days. Pain scores on a visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain improved from a preoperative mean of 4.3 and 8.1 to postoperative 1.9 and 1.8, respectively (P<0.001). Clinical outcomes based on the Oswestry disability index (ODI) improved from a preoperative mean of 46.47% to 14.81% postoperatively (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that the CO₂ laser could be a useful surgical tool for the surgical excision of lumbar discal cysts.