Abstract
From July 1989 to June 1991 135 discs on 129 patients were treated, in about twothirds at level L4/5 and at the remaining one third L5/S1.15% (n = 2) failed technically. Sixty eight patients are in the 1-year follow-up. Average age was 41 years (range 16–68 years). Average pain duration was 12 months, and average aspiration time was 25.8 min (range 15–45 min). All patients had contained disc lesions, suffered from radicular symptoms and had not responded to conservative treatment. 67,1% (group A, n =45) had a failure rate of 17,8%. Patients with associated degenerations (group B, n = 7) had a failure rate of 35,3%. 80% of the patients with recurrent radicular symptoms (group C, interval patients, n = 6) were free of symptoms. Re herniation rate in all patients was 2.9%, and the laminectomy rate 4.4%. No major complications were noted. Treated disc level, patient aage, aspirated nucleus material and CT changes revealed no correlation to clinical success. Patients with associated degenerations (group B) as wellas those with longer pain duration and larger contained disc lesions had a significantly worse outcome.
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