[Long-term results of chymopapain nucleolysis]

The retrospective study of the first 67 patients treated by chemonucleolysis, since December 1980, shows a good overall result, in 69 p. cent of the cases (40 patients) and a failure in 31 p. cent of the cases (18 patients), with a 42 months follow-up. The radiculalgia is cured or quite improved in one month in 90 p. cent of the cases and in 2 years in 88 p. cent. Lumbalgia is absent or moderate after 1 month in 58 p. cent of the cases and after 2 years in 81 p. cent. It persists, most of the time, in women, and this is statistically significant. 15 immediate failures and 3 recurrent sciaticas at the same level are noticed after a 22 months free interval. The possibility of severe complications requires a perfect technique and well-defined indications. The study confirms the good results of nucleolysis with a 42 months follow-up.