An operating microscope and special instruments make it possible to remove a herniated nucleus pulposus without laminectomy through a 1 inch skin incision. In a follow-up study of 200 patients operated upon over a two and three-fourths year period, the cure rate has been 96 per cent and the postoperative stay reduced to less than three days. One year after operation, all noncompensation patients were working as were 80 per cent of the compensation patients.