LUMBAR CHYMOPAPAIN NUCLEOLYSIS

Chemonucleolysis with chymopapain is indicated in the majority of pati ents who are candidates for surgery for intractable sciatica due to he rniated nucleus pulposus. It is safer, as effective, and cheaper than standard surgical discectomy, providing that patients are well selecte d and the procedure is properly performed. Because the indication for chemonucleolysis is not limited to contained discs, it has proved to b e more effective than percutaneous discectomy. At present, of all perc utaneous methods, lumbar chymopapain nucleolysis is the only procedure that has withstood the test of time. It is an attractive alternative to surgical discectomy and should be presented for consideration to pa tients who meet the criteria for the procedure.