Far lateral lumbar disc herniations: 3- to 14-year results

A retrospective review of 38 patients who underwent surgical treatment for far lateral lumbar disc herniation (FLLDH) using two different techniques is reported. Between October 1986 and October 1997, we operated on 38 patients with FLLDH: 12 had extraforaminal disc herniation and 26 had foraminal disc herniation. Plain roentgenograms, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance (MR)images were obtained before surgery.Postoperative outcomes showed a relief of clinical symptoms with recovery of neurological signs. There was no difference among the results encountered in the two surgical groups. A diagnosis of level based on physical examination alone is difficult. The combined use of CT and MR imaging helps to confirm the exact localization of disc herniation.