[Planimetric studies of the lumbar intervertebral space following nucleotomy by straight and angled rongeur]

Persisting, floating intervertebral disc sequesters after lumbar nucleotomy are one reason for recidivation of disc prolapses. For this reason, planimetric experiments at a lumbar intervertebral disc's cross-section are made using straight and angled forceps to estimate the maximum possible amount of curetted intervertebral material. The results show that, at the very best, no more than 70% of the intervertebral area can be reached by the common straight and angled forceps.