[Efficacy of lumbar chemonucleolysis in the treatment of foraminal and extra-foraminal hernias].

A retrospective review of 1,200 nucleolyses performed over a three year period from January 1995 to December 1997 showed 116 discal treatments for foraminal and extra-foraminal localizations. The anatomic localization through the foramen and the intense clinical signs typify these anatomoclinical forms of lumbar hernia. In contrast with complex and disruptive surgical cure, percutaneous nucleolysis offers a precise and rapid method which can be performed in a very short time in outpatients with a success rate of 80%. Most localizations concern L3-L4 and L4-L5 hernias which give the best clinical outcomes.