Results of operative treatment of lumbar disc herniation. A survey of 886 patients.

Over a period of 6 years (1960-65), 886 patients were operated on for herniated lumbar disc. In 1971, 695 of these patients (78.5 per cent) answered a questionnaire. The material was analysed with the aid of a computer. Persons in the age groups 30-39 (38 per cent) and 40-49 (34 per cent) were most prone to develop sciatica. At operation the distribution of positive findings was found to be 5.7 per cent at level L3-4, 58.3 per cent at L4-5 and 36 per cent at L5-S1. Myelography with a water-soluble medium was performed preoperatively in all cases and gave a correct diagnosis of level in 90.2 per cent. The late results were good in 56 per cent of patients and 63 per cent returned to their former occupation.