Microsurgical Operation of Herniated Lumbar Disc

The application of microsurgical techniques in the operation for lumbar disc herniation clearly reduces the overall surgical trauma suffered by the patient. A very small exposure of only about 2-3cm skin incision is necessary. No laminectomy is done. Flavotomy and an approach through interlaminar space is usually sufficient to remove the herniated disc by the microsurgical technique. Diagnosis is primarily made by spinal computed tomography(CT) scan. Between April and September 1982, 23 microlumbar discectomies were performed. Excellent recovery was 87% and good 13%. We have described our microsurgical technique and discussed its advantages.