title: Lumbar microdiscectomy: a historical perspective and current technical considerations.
abstract: A historical review is presented of the original descriptions of lumbar discectomy, focusing on the evolution toward a less invasive surgical approach following the introduction of the operating microscope. From the initial work in Europe by Yasargil and Caspar to the popularization of microdiscectomy by Williams and Wilson in the United States, this procedure has successfully reduced operative time, surgical morbidity, and incision size while allowing patients to return to work faster. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a careful preoperative clinical and radiographic evaluation by identifying factors that may help in the prediction of a successful surgical outcome. A modification of the lumbar microdiscectomy technique is described including patient positioning in the lateral position as well as minimal disc space and nerve root manipulation. In their experience performing more than 3000 microdiscectomies, the authors have produced good-to-excellent clinical results in nearly 90% of patients, with the majority returning to work within 1 month. The complication rate of dural tears, discitis, or root injury has been less than 2%, with a reoperation rate of 5%. The authors believe that lumbar microdiscectomy remains the gold standard with which all other discectomy techniques must be compared.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. chriskoebbe@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Koebbe
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Maroon
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abla
authors.forename: Hikmat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Kadi
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bost
mesh_terms: D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography