Main description:

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.

Contents:

Evolution of spinal surgery.- Physics and general principle of spinal laser.- Setting up laser spine surgery.- Anesthesia in laser spine surgery.- Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy for paramedian disc herniation with Ho:Yag laser.- Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy for foraminal disc herniation with Ho:Yag laser.- Endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy with Ho:Yag laser.- Microscopic lumbar discectomy for paramedian disc herniation with CO2 laser.- Microscopic lumbar discectomy for calcified disc herniation with CO2 laser.- Microscopic lumbar discectomy for foraminal and extraforaminal disc herniation with CO2 laser.- Transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy with Ho:Yag laser.- Microscopic thoracic discectomy for paramedian disc herniation with CO2 laser.- Posterior endoscopic cervical discectomy with Ho:Yag laser.- Posterior microscopic cervical discectomy with CO2 laser.- Anterior endoscopic cervical discectomy with Ho:Yag laser.- Microscopic OPLL resection with CO2 laser.- Percutaneous endoscopic laser annuloplasty with Ho:Yag laser for discogenic back pain.- Trans-sacral epiduroscopic laser adhesiolysis with Nd:Yag laser.- Transforaminal epiduroscopic laser annuloplasty with Nd:Yag laser for discogenic back pain.- Percutaneous endoscopic cervical annuloplasty with Ho:Yag laser.- Potential Complications of laser spine surgery.- Future technologies of laser spine surgery.