title: Continuing experience with chemonucleolysis.
abstract: Chemonucleolysis using chymopapain is the least invasive technique used to treat a herniated lumbar pulposus. After 37 years of clinical experience, multiple clinical trials, a national multicenter, double-blind study mandated by the Food and Drug Administration, and heated controversy in the scientific community, the injection of chymopapain to treat herniated discs has (in appropriately selected patients) proven as successful as laminectomy, with fewer complications and the advantage of considerable cost savings.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin, Department of Neurological Surgery, Madison 53792, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Nordby
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Javid
mesh_terms: D002917:Chymopapain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007404:Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis / Q000379:methods; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D018579:Patient Selection
chemical_list: D002917:Chymopapain