Microsurgery versus standard removal of the herniated lumbar disc. A 3-year comparison in 150 cases.

The outcome of 150 patients with herniated lumbar disc treated by either microsurgical or standard discectomy were retrospectively reviewed after an average of 3 years. Both techniques provided satisfactory results, with 85 percent good or excellent outcome. Microsurgery gave less intraoperative bleeding, shorter hospitalization, and more rapid return to work. The main drawback was a higher recurrence rate of disc prolapse.