Negative exploration in lumber intervertebral disc surgery

ABSTRACT

In this study 122 levels in 100 patients were surgically explored for herniated intervertebral disc. These patients were operated between 1972 and 1985. All patients underwent myelography prior to surgery. Negative exploration is considered as the result of diagnostic error, however, surgical error is also a factor leading to negative exploration. Only 7% of the patients underwent negative exploration, however, viewed from a more critical angle this meant that 15% of levels explored were exposed unnecessarily