[Automated percutaneous diskectomy. Indication, technique and results after 2 years]

Automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy (APLD) is a new method for the treatment of herniated lumbar disc. Since 1988 it is introduced in Germany. Until December 1989 the operation has been performed in 45 patients at the department of orthopaedic surgery, University of Kiel. The 2-years experiences with the new method are reported in this paper. Careful selection of patients provides excellent or good results in 70%, in 18% the method fails.