Chemonucleolysis of herniated lumbar discs.
Chemonucleolysis is a promising alternative to open surgical treatment of a herniated lumbar disc. The technique involves injecting chymopapain into the disc under fluoroscopic control. Chymopapain is specific for chondromucoprotein in cartilage. The results of chemonucleolysis in 100 patients are reported; the procedure was successful in 83 percent. This closed procedure has a success rate comparable to that of surgery, but has a lower morbidity, is less costly and is more acceptable to patients.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002917:Chymopapain / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007403:Intervertebral Disc; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D010450:Endopeptidases; D002917:Chymopapain