Low-dose chemonucleolysis combined with percutaneous nucleotomy in herniated cervical disks.

The combination of low-dose chemonucleolysis with 500 IU chymopapain followed by an automated percutaneous nucleotomy of the cervical spine is a new procedure. A follow-up of at least 1 year of the first 22 patients showed in 19 patients good or excellent results. In one patient a fair result was obtained, and in two patients the symptoms were unchanged; one of these patients subsequently underwent diskectomy and anterior cervical spine fusion. Preoperatively, all patients showed a clear cervical disk herniation with predominantly radicular pain. The procedure has been performed so far in approximately 100 patients. No intra- or postoperative complications have been noted.