[Complications in lumbar intervertebral disk operations]

During the period from 1980 to 1985 we performed 1957 lumbar disc operations. In 1720 (87.9%) first operations and 237 patients (12.1%) with reoperation we found 127 complications (6.5%). General complications occurred in 1.6%, infection in 2.8%, mechanical complications in 1.6% and neurological complications in 0.5%. The rate was, except for general complications much higher in reoperation (16%) than in first operation (5.2%). We found 1.1% postoperative irreversible neurological complications. Further operative treatment because of complications was necessary in 2.3%. The types and causes of complications are discussed and compared with the results in the literature.