The Clinical Study of Chemonucleolys in Herniated Nucleus Pulposus of Lumbar Spine

ABSTRACT

Chemonucleolysis with chymopapain has been shown to be an effective alternative to surgery for the treatment of Sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation after failure of conservative treatment. 92 lumbar herniated disc patients had been treated by chemonucleolysis in Eul Ji General Hospital during 3 years from March 1988 to 1991 and were evaluated clinically. 1) Of 92 patients, 60 patients(65%) were between 20 and 30 years old age group and male was predominent. 2) The lesion was the most common in L4-5space(52 patients, 56.6%). 3) The results were better in the younger group and the more limited straight leg raising group. 4) The excellent and good results were obtained in 82.6%. 5) In noncompensation cases, 69 patients(88.0%) had marked improvement, but in compensation cases, 7 patients(50%) had marked improvement. 6) In conclusion, above finding suggest that chemonucleolysis is a safe and effective nonsurgical method for treatment of herniated lumbar disc before surgical intervention.