[Initial experience with percutaneous lumbar nucleotomy and discoscopy.].
Ever since percutaneous lumbar nucleotomy and discoscopy were introduced great hopes in this method were raised by specialists and patients. Based on the initial euphoric comments in the professional press, the authors started to use this procedure in 1992. During the period between Jan. 1 1992 and Dec. 31 1993 at the orthopaedic department of the General Hospital in Zwettel 69 operations of the disc were performed. The number comprised 62 conventional nucleotomies and 7 percutaneous nuc-leotomies combined with discoscopy. The mean follow-up period in patients with percutaneous nucleotomy and discocopy was 14 months (3-24). With regard to preoperative and postoperative development the therapeutic results were evaluated as follows. The authors proved strictly limited indications of this new surgical method and its inclusion in the therapeutic plan in protrusion and prolapse of the disc. As revealed by analysis, this method can be used to extend the hitherto valid therapeutic spectrum, if strictly limited indications are used. Key words: percutaneous nucleotomy, discoscopy.
Weissinger
M
M
Keppel
A
A
Helmreich
C
C