Long-Term Results of Surgical Treatment for Herniated Discs Using the Technique of Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous chondrocyte (AC) transplantation in patients after lumbar microdiscectomy in the long-term period. Materials and methods. Transplantation of cryopreserved AC has been carried out in 6 patients 3 months after lumbar microdiscectomy. Evaluation of clinical status was performed using VAS and NASS scales, before and 3 months after microdiscectomy, 1 and 2 years after AC transplantation. In the same period, there were also evaluated magnetic resonance characteristics of hydration of intervertebral disc. Results. According to magnetic resonance imaging, recovery of nucleus pulposus hydrophilicity was found in 4 of 6 patients (66.7 %), who underwent AC transplantation. Pain severity decreased significantly in the early period after microdiscectomy, and 3 months after (by the time of AC transplantation) it has reduced by almost 6 times. One and 2 years after this procedure, pain continued to decline steadily. Functional status and quality of life after microdiscectomy significantly improved during first 3 months, and after transplantation they have not changed. Conclusions. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation after lumbar microdiscectomy is a safe method of surgical treatment for degenerative diseases of the spine, it helps to recover the biomechanical properties of the operated intervertebral disc.

Keywords

• intervertebral disc
• microdiscectomy
• autologous chondrocytes