title: Automated percutaneous discectomy for reherniations of lumbar discs.
abstract: Ten patients with lumbar disc reherniation at the same level as the one previously openly operated on were treated by automated percutaneous discectomy (APD). The results after follow-up for 2.5 years, on the average, showed 70% with complete or significant pain relief, 60% with motor deficit improvement, and 22% with improvement of sensory deficit. Included among the patients who had pain relief were two of three in whom discography had produced only a small amount of pain, but only one of two in whom the contrast material showed contained epidural leak. To reduce the unsuccessful results, patients with segmental instability or spinal stenosis after open surgery should not be treated by APD.
authors.affiliation: Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mirovsky
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Neuwirth
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Halperin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001331:Automation; D003287:Contrast Media; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009420:Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media