[Microsurgical treatment of the lumbar disk herniation (author's transl)]

Meant by the microsurgical treatment of syndromes of lumbar nerve root compression caused by disk herniation, is the simultaneous use of a microsurgical, monosegmental access, and the execution of the operation by means of the operation microscope. Based on our own experience over more than 3 years, we describe the technique of the microsurgical access, as well as the procedure in 67 cases of lumbar disk herniation. The advantages, but also the risks of this surgical method are mentioned, and the indication for microsurgical treatment of lumbar disk herniations is commented on. Advantages are the reduced trauma of the dorsal musculature, and the improved ability to preserve tissue by use of the microscope with it's excellent illumination and magnification of the operation field. Compared with the conventional method, markedly lesser wound pain, as well as rarer micturitional disturbances, are observed postoperatively. Long term results have only been infrequent up to now. There-fore, the microsurgical treatment of lumbar disk herniation, despite it's undeniable advantages, cannot be viewed as an alternative to the hitherto practiced conventional operating methods. In these methods a magnification technique (telescope glasses), focusable light sources and perfectionized instruments can also enable us to keep the operational access restricted.