Percutaneous Nucleotomy: Clinical Results in Treatment of Herniated Lumbar Disk

Abstract

Since 1991 automated percutaneous nucleotomy was employed as a treatment for lumbar disk herniation in Ehime University Hospital in limited cases.
All patients were eligible for this procedure if they met the following criteria: (1) the presence of a sciatica that was resistant to conservative treatment over the period of 2 months (2) no sequestrated herniation, no migrated herniation and no spinal stenosis (3) no cauda equina syndrome.
25 patients were available for follow-up examinations over a 2 month period. 18 patients had either excellent or good results, but in 7 patient, this procedure was ineffective.