[Lumbar disk herniation treated by microsurgery].

Microsurgical technique was applied in 46 cases of lumbar disc herniation in the years 1993-1994. The group comprised 17 women and 29 men aged 17-46 years (mean age 39.54 +/- 8.72). Sciatic pain was present in 39 (85%) cases, in the remaining ones low back pain was the main symptom. Neurological deficit signs were noted in 21 (46%) cases. The authors discuss the indications to microdiscectomy, the microsurgical technique and outcomes. Microdiscectomy was carried out in cases selected strictly according to the result of neurological examination and radiological findings X-ray of lumbosacral region in 46 cases (100%), myelography in 11 (24%), CT in 4 (9%) and MRI in 31 (67%). MRI served for evaluation of signal intensity, site and site of disc hernia. In 31 cases the operation was done in patients with recognized unilateral and one-level disc hernia. Full remission of complaints was noted in 45 patients during follow-up over 2 years.