Anterior discectomy and interbody fusion for lumbar disc herniation. A review of 350 cases.

Based on the follow-up evaluation of 350 patients in whom lumbar disc herniation was treated by anterior discectomy and interbody fusion from 1955 to 1982, 94.3% of the patients obtained bony union and justified the principle of interbody stabilization of the spine. The normalization of the myelographic pattern observed after surgery indicates that sufficient nerve decompression can be obtained by this procedure. The good clinical results may be attributed to the restoration of disc height and to the correction of spinal alignment. The good results observed in long-term follow-up evaluation of 223 patients and the fact that most of the patients resumed their former work after surgery provide further testimony of the value of interbody fusion. The procedure is indicated in young adults, physical laborers with low back pain and sciatica, and patients with spinal instability.