Background context: Recurrent lumbar disc herniation is the most common reason for unsatisfactory results following disc excision and it occurs in 2% to 13% of surgically treated patients. There have been many studies on recurrent disc herniation, but these studies often reviewed recurrence along with other causes of failed disc surgery. Specific studies on long-term outcomes of the repeat discectomy are relatively lacking in the literature. PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term functional outcomes of the repeat discectomy using ODI and VAS, and the risk factors of recurrent disc herniation. Study design: A prospective evaluation of 21 patients with recurrent disc herniation. Patient sample: All of the 21 patients selected for the study have at least one reoperation for recurrent disc herniation. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome is measured using VAS and ODI questionnaires filled in by the patients themselves. METHODS: Recurrent disc herniation was defined as disc herniation at the same level (ipsilateral or contralateral) and disc herniation at a different level, with pain-free interval greater than 1 month. The levels of disc herniation were: L2-L3 (1 case), L3-L4 (1 case), L4-L5 (9 cases), L5-S1 (9 cases), two levels L4-L5 and L5-S1 (1 case). Nine men and 12 women of mean age 43.7 (18-57) years were studied. In order to evaluate the pain syndrome and functional impairment, we used the visual analog scale (VAS) 0 -100 mm and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) 2.0 before the initial surgery, before the reoperative surgery, as well as on follow-ups after the first and sixth month, first year, and after five and more years. RESULTS: A group of 489 consecutive patients with primary discectomy is investigated. We identified sixty-four patients (13.09%) reoperated for a variety of reasons (including complications). Out of the whole group of the reoperated, 21 patients (32.8%) with RDH are selected. There is a tendency of deterioration that is reflected by the ODI values that range from 10 to 48 (31% mean) after the follow-up that varies from 1 to 8 years (4.8 mean). Nevertheless, only two of the patients (9.5%) are not satisfied with the treatment altogether. The two patients claim that the results after the treatment do not meet their expectations before the initial discectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In the group that we investigated for a long enough time (mean of 4.8 years follow-up), 4,3% of the patients with primary discectomy are reoperated due to RDH. Only 2 of the patients (9.5%) had unsatisfactory results after the reinterventions. The age, gender, preoperative symptoms, life style or the occupation are not recognized as factors that could increase the risk of RDH. Only disc protrusions require reinterventions due to RDH three times more frequently than primary extrusions or sequestrations require reinterventions due to RDH three times more frequently than primary extrusions or sequestrations. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2009; 41(1): 25-30.