Comparison of chemonucleolysis and microsurgical discectomy for the treatment of herniated lumbar disc.

A series of 126 patients with symptomatic herniated lumbar disc who were treated by either chemonucleolysis (CN) or microsurgical lumbar discectomy (MLD) was reviewed retrospectively. Of the 45 patients who chose chemonucleolysis, 27 (60%) reported a good outcome. The minor morbidity in this group was 52% and the major morbidity (infection) was 2.2%. Of the 81 patients who selected microsurgical discectomy, 72 (89%) reported a good result. The minor morbidity was 5%, and the major morbidity (infection) was 1.2%. The lower incidence of treatment success and higher percentage of patients suffering morbidity in the chemonucleolysis group make this procedure less desirable in the treatment of patients with herniated lumbar disc.