title: Microdiskectomy--myth, mania, or milestone? An 18-year surgical adventure.
abstract: The term "microdiskectomy" in the medical literature defines absolutely no surgical parameters or specific techniques for the treatment of the herniated nucleus pulposus. I attempt to clarify frequently used slang and to design a logical mental and microsurgical approach to the problem of lumbar disk herniations. The rigid surgical technique of microlumbar diskectomy is closely examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013525:Surgical Instruments