Can spinal discs re-herniate after open discectomy?
Most definitely. Open discectomy is generally done by laminectomy or hemilaminectomy, which requires removal of part of the posterior cage of the spinal canal. Then access to the disc is obtained once this section of bone and its underlying ligamentous are removed. The annulus fibrous that is the tough fibrous portion of the disc is taken out in small pieces and the herniated segment of the disc is removed in a similar manner. Since the internal arrangement of the annulus fibrous is in a laminate or layered fashion, the internal being weaker cannot retain the remnant nucleus pulposus or the internal gelatinous/softer part of the disc. Thus this material will herniate more easily since the tougher although herniated outer part of the disc is removed.
