Abstract: ObjectiveFollow-up of the clinical outcome of prosthetic disc nucleus replacement on patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods16 patients with lumar intervertebral disc herniation were implanted prosthetic disc nucleus from June to August 2003, including 10 males and 6 females. The operation levels were at L_4-5 in 10 patients and L₅～S₁ in 6 patients. All patients were followed up from 28 to 32 months (averaged 30 months). The contents include pain, physical examination, Short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire investigation, Visual Analogue Scales(VAS) and Present Pain Intensity(PPI), X-ray and MRI examination, etc. ResultsAfter surgery, 16 patients experienced clinical symptom relief, the displacement of PDN in 1 case and dislocation in 1case, the height of intervertebral space becoming narrower in 5 cases and endplate subsiding in 1 case. ConclusionProsthetic disc nucleus replacement acquired satisfactory after operation, but some complication may occurre in long-term.

Key words: lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, prosthetic disc nucleus replacement, follow-up, complication