Background: The non-operative treatment of herniated intervertebral discs has long been
a fundamental challenge. A novel technique of laser ablation to ablate the nucleus pulposus
under a transforaminal epiduroscope (TELA system, Lutronics, Seoul, Republic of Korea) was
recently developed.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of
transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) for selective ablation of the nucleus
pulposus in single-level disc disease.
Study Design: Prospective case control study
Setting: Multicenter study
Methods: This study included a group of 56 patients who underwent transforaminal
epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) and 56 patients who underwent selective transforaminal
epidural block (STEB) for single-level disc disease. Visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry
Disability Index (ODI), and SF-12 were assessed at admission and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
postoperatively.
Results: The mean VAS of back pain was lower for the TELA group than for the STEB group
12 months postoperative (P < 0.05). The mean ODI was lower in the TELA group than in the
STEB group at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). There were no major complications
related to the TELA and STEB procedures.
Limitations: The primary limitation is a small sample size. The control group was created
from a database which was prospectively collected in a different time line.
Conclusions: The TELA procedure is superior to the STEB procedure in terms of patients
reporting less pain and better quality of life over a year. TELA may be a reasonable alternative
to conventional interventions or open surgery in single-level disc disease.
Key words: Laser-assisted spinal endoscopy, disc decompression, Nd:YAG laser, laser
ablation, intervertebral disc disease, lumbar spine
Lifestyle factors and lumbar disc disease: results of a German multi-center case-control study (EPILIFT)
