[Lumbar disk hernia. Excision of hernia with or without complementary diskectomy?]

The authors compare the limited removal of the ruptured disc to discectomy for lumbar disc herniation. Analysis of results during a four years period demonstrates a twice higher recurrence rate with limited removal than with discectomy and a more frequent residual low back pain, after limited removal of the ruptured disc. These data made then limit the indications of the simple ruptured disc removal technique, with the exception of some specific anatomical locations: the migrated disc situated anterior or posterior to the ligament, without an associated discal bulging.