[Chemonucleolysis. Method, indications and results. Review]

Since 1963 Chemonucleolysis [CNL] with discase and collagenase has served as a supplementation to the surgical approach in the treatment of prolapses of lumbar disks. The world-wide stated rates of successful treatments amount to about 70 per cent. For a further correction of the result surgical treatments are considered to be necessary in about 20 per cent of the cases. Our experience gained with these measures shows a success in 70 per cent of the patients. The frequency of operations still lies around 18 per cent in accordance with the international standard. This therapy, however, should not be considered to be a fully valid alternative or substitute. If exact indications are present, it can make a surgical intervention superfluous in selected cases.