Objective: Majority of the patients with a history of unsuccessful lumbar surgery consists of recurrent disc herniation. Although risk factors in recurrent disc herniations were comprehensively examined in the literature, association of annular rupture size with recurrence of lumbar disc hernia was not identified.

Material and Method: Two hundred and seventy patients who were operated in our neurosurgery clinic because of single level lumbar disc herniation between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. During follow-up, 18 patients who were reoperated because of recurrent disc herniation within the first 6 months and 18 patients who were followed at least for 2 years without any recurrence were included to the study. Among 252 patients, 18 patients who are under follow-up at least for 2 years were selected randomly. The radiologist measured the size of the annular rupture by Lumbar MRI retrospectively.

Results: In the statistical analysis, mean annular rupture diameter in the recurrence group was measured as 18.87 (7-28.6 mm; sd 6.29) whereas mean annular rupture diameter in the non-recurrent group was found as 8.82 (5.5-14.5 mm; sd 2.83). Diameter of the annular rupture in the non-recurrence group was found statistically and significantly lower than the recurrence group. (p <0.001, t =3.71)

Conclusion: Although risk of recurrence in lumbar disc hernia depends on many factors, possibility to develop recurrent disc hernia of the patients who have larger annular rupture diameters should be considered as a risk factor.