PROCEDURES
TELA
(Trans-foraminal Epiduroscopic Laser Annuloplasty)
TELA is a minimally invasive procedure technique for the management of pain caused by various spinal disorders, wherein physicians utilize a specialized epidural scope called the NeedleView CH, which is the only one of its kind worldwide.
- Bendable scope
- Laser to correct herniated discs or annular tears, etc.
- Built-in fiber optics to bring visualization and illumination
- Medicine to relieve pain
What are the drawbacks of PELD procedure?
- Difficulty to reach into the IVF (e.g. large outer diameter at 8 mm)
- Impossible to bend the shaft for making gentle curve
- Still larger incision entry
What are the drawbacks of SELD procedure?
- Excruciating pain during the procedure
- The Sacral Hiatus is sometimes very tiny or even closed (80 % success rate)
- Possibility to navigate guide wire or catheter to dorsal epidural space (e.g. very stiff sacral angle)
- Poor visualization
- Difficulty to reach target lumbar level if there is tough adhesion
- Possible nerve injury by forward-firing laser
- Long pathway to target lumbar level
- Cannot combine discectomy
TELA
(Trans-foraminal Epiduroscopic Laser Annuloplasty)
Straight Scope
- More horizontal approach >14 cm
- Longer scope
- Risk of injury to the nerve root or disc
- Impossible to approach from posterior (L5-S1)
Bendable Scope
- Skin entry < 12 cm off the midline
- Shorter scope
- Safer and easier access through the IVF
- Not difficult to approach the ventral epidural space through the IVF, even at L5-S1
