Riassunto dello studio

Eighty-four patients with chronic radicular sciatic pain were randomized to receive either percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) (n=42) or open surgery (n=42). The primary outcome of interest was functional disability, assessed via the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included leg and back pain (Visual Analog Scale), bodily pain and physical function (Short Form-36), and the rate of resurgery. Outcomes were assessed at 4, 8, 24, 48, and 96 weeks post-intervention. Overall, the results of the study revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups for any outcome measure at any time point, although both groups demonstrated consistent clinical improvement over time. The study concludes that PLDD is a viable minimally invasive alternative to open surgery, with similar long-term clinical outcomes but a potentially higher resurgery rate.