Patients suffering from one or more herniated spinal discs have a variety of options to help relieve the pain they are experiencing. When conservative methods do not treat symptoms, there is a minimally invasive and very effective procedure that can be performed: lumbar microdiscectomy. Relevant anatomy, preoperative diagnostic tests/procedures, preoperative procedures including operating room setup, patient preparation and draping, surgical procedure, postoperative findings, and potential complications will be described and discussed. Discectomy literally means “cutting the disc”. A microdiscectomy involves cutting out a spinal disc, usually only part, via microscopic aids. The main indication for a microdiscectomy is a herniated disc or lumbar disc and is performed when conservative treatments such as rest, bracing, weight loss, physiotherapy/exercise, anti-inflammatory medications, Chiropractic manipulation and activity modification do not relieve pain or correct the condition. An intervertebral disc is a kidney-shaped structure located between each pair of vertebrae that allows the back to flex and bend. The disc has a core of semi-liquid substance and is surrounded by several layers of fibrous rings called annulus fibrosis. The function of the disc is to cushion and absorb shock along the vertebrae of the spine caused by normal movements such as sitting, standing or lifting. Stress from bending, twisting, and lifting heavy weights, aging, and specific trauma can cause annulus fibrosis to rupture to the point where nucleic material escapes and pushes on the surrounding nerve. This is called a herniation... middle of paper ... improvement or elimination of sciatic pain has been reported" (Maria Hersht, Eric M. Massicotte, & Mark Bernstein, 2006, p. 448) .ReferenceFrey, KR (2007). Surgical technology for the surgical technologist. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning. Goldman, M.A. (2008). Pocket Guide to the Operating Room. Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis Company. Maria Hersht, B., Eric M. Massicotte, M. and Mark Bernstein, MM (March 13, 2006). Patient satisfaction with outpatient lumbar microsurgical discectomy: a qualitative study. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Rothrock, J. C. (2007). Alexander's care of the surgical patient. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Saris, S. (2011). Patient Guide to Minimally Invasive Lumbar Microdiscectomy. Retrieved December 19, 2011 from Neurosurgery Associates: Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts: http://neurosurgery-associated.com/min.htm