title: Microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation.
abstract: Microscopical lumbar discectomy is nowadays a very common neurosurgical procedure. The technique has been introduced more than 15 years ago. For the present study a series of 100 consecutive patients, operated upon by one surgeon and with a follow-up period of at least 1 year, was reviewed. The importance of a clean surgical indication is stressed. At the latest follow-up examination 3 patients still complained of moderately intense sciatica and 1 of backache of an invalidating degree. Four patients needed a second operation for a recurrent herniation at the same or another level. Eventually, 96 patients were able to resume their previous, if available, professional activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goffin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery