Effectiveness of Sacral Epidural Laser Discectomy in Patients with chronic low back Resistant to Conservative Treatment

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sacral epidural laser discectomy (SELD) on clinical parameters in patients with chronic low back and/or leg pain (CLBLP) resistant to conservative treatment. Methods A total of 75 patients with CLBLP who received SELD treatment were included in the study retrospectively. Patients were assessed for pain (numeric rating scale-NRS), and disability (Oswestry Disability Index-ODI). NRS and ODI scores were recorded before the operation and 1, 6, and 12 months after the operation. Results Of the 75 patients, the mean age was 52.00 ± 11.28 years (range: 30–78 years), and 45 (60.0%) were female and 35 (40.0%) were male. Baseline pain intensity (7.43 ± .774) and pain intensities obtained at three time points following the surgeries (1 month [3.93 ± 1.571], 6 months [4.36 ± 1.591], 12 months [5.00 ± 1.716]) showed statistically significant differences (p < .001). The baseline pain-related disability (2.92 ± .539) and the data obtained at three subsequent time points (1 month [1.76 ± .883], 6 months [1.85 ± .896], and 12 months [2.01 ± .923]) showed a statistically significant difference in pain-related disability (p < .001). The most common complications were headache (5 patients) and incisional pain (5 patients). Conclusion As a result of this study, we found that SELD, a relatively new technique, reduces pain and disability and has a low complication rate in patients with resistant CLBLP.