Signs and symptoms after chemonucleolysis. A detailed evaluation of 214 worker's compensation and noncompensation patients.

The effectiveness of chemonucleolysis was examined in a retrospective study of 214 consecutive patients with herniated lumbar discs. All patients were candidates for surgery. All underwent myelography, and most had computed tomography (CT) scans. The clinical status of patients was assessed at 6 weeks and at 6 months, and evaluation was made from responses of the patients to a questionnaire at 1 year. Evaluation at 1 year demonstrated that the results of chemonucleolysis were successful for 181 patients (84.6%). Of the 172 patients who received no worker's compensation, the procedure was successful for 90.7%. Of 42 with worker's compensation, the success rate was 59.5%. After chemonucleolysis, most patients showed neurologic improvement. Data comparing neurologic symptoms and signs between compensation and noncompensation patients are presented. This is the first report of objective data after chemonucleolysis in these two groups. A discussion on the morbidity and mortality of chemonucleolysis is included, along with a comparison of cost between chemonucleolysis and laminectomy.