Volume 67 Number 4 September 2000	back to contents

Continuing Experience with Chemonucleolysis	311-313
Eugene J. Nordby, M.D., and Manucher J. Javid, M.D.
Address correspondence to Dr. Eugene J. Nordby, M.D., University of Wisconsin, Department of Neurological Surgery, 600 Highland Avenue, 114/342, Madison, WI 53792.

ABSTRACT
Chemonucleolysis using chymopapain is the least invasive technique used to treat a herniated lumbar pulposus. After 37 years of clinical experience, multiple clinical trials, a national multicenter, double-blind study mandated by the Food and Drug Administration, and heated controversy in the scientific community, the injection of chymopapain to treat herniated discs has (in appropriately selected patients) proven as successful as laminectomy, with fewer complications and the advantage of considerable cost savings.

KEY WORDS
Herniated lumbar disc, chemonucleolysis, chymopapain

MSSM Home

Back Issues | Indexes | Search | Journal Home