Repeat chemonucleolysis is safe and effective

A review was made of 85 patients who received a second injection of chymopa pain because of a recurrent disc herniation between 1980 and 1996, All pati ents were pretreated for 3 days with H1 and H2 receptor blockers. Immediate sensitivity reactions were not seen, Four Type 1 and one Type 2 reactions were seen after the the second injection. No other complications were seen. In this group of 85 patients, 66 patients received a second injection at t he same level as primary treatment after a period of 57.1 months (range, 2- 143 months). Two patients were lost to followup, Four patients had surgery, three with good results. Good results and no complications were seen in th ree patients who had a third chemonucleolysis because of another recurrence after 15, 40, and 56 months, respectively. The remaining 57 patients were interviewed after 64 months (range, 3-143 months). Using the Prolo scale, 5 1 patients were rated as having excellent or good results, and six patients were rated as having fair or poor results.