[Diskectomy of the lumbar spine: indication and contraindications]

The authors present an overview of the principles of surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation which are currently applied at spinal surgery ward by the Orthopedic Department of the Poznan School of Medical Sciences. Most of these principles are valid in spinal surgery centres in USA and most European countries. The authors reviewed surgical technique, indications, contrindications and complications related to discectomy in the lumbar spine. Although the articles deals mainly with "classical" discectomy, other surgical techniques (microdiscectomy, percutaneous discectomy, chemonucleolysis, and endoscopy-assisted discectomy) are also briefly reviewed. Careful selection of patients, meticulous analysis of radiographic findings and proper surgical technique yield good results which allow most patients to improve their life conditions and lead a pain-free existence.