Chemonucleolysis: the state of the art

Citation
Jw. Simmons et al., Chemonucleolysis: the state of the art, EUR SPINE J, 10(3), 2001, pp. 192-202
Citations number
102
Categorie Soggetti
Ortopedics, Rehabilitation & Sport Medicine
Journal title
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
ISSN journal
09406719 → ACNP
Volume
10
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
192 - 202
Database
ISI
SICI code
0940-6719(200106)10:3<192:CTSOTA>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
This review presents the history of chemonucleolysis, the techniques, indic ations, contraindications, and complications. Presenting an historical over view and comparison of success rates with surgical discectomy may provide a fresh understanding of the controversy surrounding chemonucleolysis and es tablish its efficacy in relation to more invasive treatments. A review of t he literature from 1973 through 1998 for chemonucleolysis, open discectomy, and microdiscectomy provided published success rates for these procedures, and a mean rate with standard deviation was determined. In the experience and opinion of the authors, chemonucleolysis remains a viable alternative f or patients who have exhausted all conservative means of treatment. Proper patient selection leads to success rates comparable to open discectomy and microdiscectomy.