The Sciatica-PLDD trial.

The Sciatica-PLDD trial is a prospective randomized controlled trial. Patients who fit the in- and exclusion criteria for the trial for lumbar disc herniation will be randomised into twogroups.
- The first group will receive microsurgical discectomy in their own hospital.

- The second group will be referred to 1 of 4 assigned PLDD-centers, where Percutaneous Laser Discus Decompression will be carried out by an experienced interventional (neuro)radiologist.




Patients in both groups will be treated within 4 weeks after randomisation. Follow up visits for both groups will take place in the referring hospital 4, 8, 26 and 52 weeks after treatment.
- Patient evaluation will consist of careful history taking and standardized physical examination by well trained, experienced research nurses. Additionally, patients will be asked to fill out questionnaires 2, 6, 12, 38, 78 en 104 weeks after treatment.




- The primary outcome measure is functional improvement. This will be assessed using the Roland Questionnaire for Sciatica. Moreover, a cost-effectiveness-analysis will be carried out on the basis of health-related utility factors. This will include costs of sickness absence and long-term disability. Neurological and radiological parameters will also be assessed.

Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression is more cost-effective than conventional surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation and allows faster patient rehabilitation, while long-term functional results are comparable.

N/A

Patients who fit the in- and exclusion criteria for the trial for lumbar disc herniation will be randomised into two groups.

1. The first group will receive microsurgical discectomy in their own hospital.

2. The second group will be referred to 1 of 4 assigned PLDD-centers, where Percutaneous Laser Discus Decompression will be carried out by an experienced interventional (neuro)radiologist.