[Chemonucleolysis as a method of treatment in lumbar and thoracolumbar scoliosis: errors, complications and indications for use].

: The authors summarize their experience in the treatment of 106 patients with dysplastic lumbar and thoracolumbar scoliosis. Already 24 hours after closed chemonucleolysis there was considerable correction of the curvature and an increase in the stability index. The method may be recommended for the treatment of lumbar and thoracolumbar scoliosis at stages II and III if the curvature angle does not exceed 50 degrees. In severe curvatures the efficiency of chemonucleolysis is low. Observation of the patients showed that the method causes little traumatism, is easily endured by the patients and allows for reliable discontinuation of the progress of deformation. The complications after closed chemonucleolysis may be avoided by employing the technique of discography, the application of the plaster-of-Paris jacket and by making use of adequate anaesthetic and dehydration therapy during the immediate post-manipulation period. The complications after chemonucleolysis did not deteriorate the results of the treatment.