APLD (Automatic Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy) was introduced because it was a less invasive and simple procedure with reduced hospital course. In Ramathibodi Hospital we started APLD procedure in September 1990. This paper reviewed 49 patients who received APLD procedures. The result, age group, duration of symptom were reviewed. We used re-sterilized APLD set in some patients for economic reason. From this study we found that efficacy of APLD is about 78% with no complication. The best candidates for APLD procedure is young adults (< 30 years) who had symptoms of short duration. Although using resterilized set reduced the efficacy to 75% the saving of approximate 20,000 Baht/case per more than compensates the disadvantage. We conclude Thai resterilized APLD set is an appropriate procedure for economic reasons.

Archives of Gynecology & Obstetrics ปี 2537, พฤษภาคม ปีที่: 2 ฉบับที่ 3 หน้า