Percutaneous lumbar diskectomy using a new aspiration probe: porcine and cadaver model.

A method of percutaneous aspiration of the nucleus pulposus of lumbar disks is described as performed in four pigs and three cadavers. Through a lateral oblique percutaneous approach, 80-100% of the nucleus pulposus was removed in each of the pigs; approximately 30% of the cadaver disk was removed. A unique aspiration probe and the introducing set as well as the technique are described. The implications for clinical use in patients are discussed. We believe this technique may be an alternative to both surgical diskectomies and chymopapain injection in the treatment of herniated disk disease of the lumbar spine.