title: Low-dose chemonucleolysis combined with percutaneous nucleotomy in herniated cervical disks.
abstract: The combination of low-dose chemonucleolysis with 500 IU chymopapain followed by an automated percutaneous nucleotomy of the cervical spine is a new procedure. A follow-up of at least 1 year of the first 22 patients showed in 19 patients good or excellent results. In one patient a fair result was obtained, and in two patients the symptoms were unchanged; one of these patients subsequently underwent diskectomy and anterior cervical spine fusion. Preoperatively, all patients showed a clear cervical disk herniation with predominantly radicular pain. The procedure has been performed so far in approximately 100 patients. No intra- or postoperative complications have been noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Ambulantes Operationszentrum Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoogland
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheckenbach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007404:Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000002:abnormalities; D010146:Pain; D016896:Treatment Outcome