Chemonucleolysis and automated percutaneous discectomy--a prospective randomized comparison

In this prospective study 22 patients with painful disc herniations were randomized either to chemonucleolysis (CN) or automated percutaneous discectomy (APD) Preoperatively the Oswestry score was 44 points in the CN group and 41 points in the APD group. Except for a longer duration of preoperative leg pain in the APD group, clinical data were approximately the similar same in the two groups. In the APD group there was one intra-operative complication. Open revision surgery in the same segment was performed once in the CN group and twice in the APD group. Improvement of neurologic deficits and of Owestry score was significant in both groups. At 2 years after surgery the CN treated patients were significantly better with respect to Oswestry score, back pain and leg pain recurrence.