Shaving of the lumbar disk space--a new technique in lumbar nucleotomy.

A complete curettage of the intervertebral space using the common surgical instruments (forceps, sharp spoons) is not possible during nucleotomy because of the anatomic site and the shape of the instruments. An alternative technique--called "shaving"--is described, which enables a faster, more effective, and less traumatizing removal of free-floating, pulpy residue in the intervertebral space.