title: Lumbar discal herniation in the elderly: long-term results of chymopapain chemonucleolysis.
abstract: Very few reports in the literature have dealt with lumbar disc herniation in the elderly and its treatment by chymopapain chemonucleolysis. Between September 1981 and May 1991, 42 patients aged between 60 and 80 years were treated by chemonucleolysis for lumbar disc herniation. The clinical symptoms and signs, similar to those observed in younger patients, were well correlated with a clear picture of discal herniation on the CT scan without any associated stenosis. At the last follow-up (mean 4.5 years) satisfactory results were obtained in 78% of the patients. No complication were observed. It is concluded that in the rare cases of discal herniation in the elderly, chymopapain chemonucleolysis should be considered as a safe and efficacious alternative to surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 Bd. du Général Leclerc, F-92110 Clichy, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benoist
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Parent
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nizard
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lassale
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deburge
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002917:Chymopapain / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007404:Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D002917:Chymopapain