The efficacy of laminectomy, extraperitoneal anterolateral discectomy, and anterior interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation in children under 16 years of age. METHODS: The subjective symptoms, recovery of clinical signs, and changes in the intervertebral space over time were retrospectively analyzed in 11 children under 16 years of age with lumbar disc herniation treated with each of the above three surgical methods. At 12 years (mean 9 years), clinical symptoms improved quickly after posterior discectomy. In cases of central herniation with or without instability, good results were achieved with extraperitoneal anterolateral discectomy or anterior interbody fusion. Clinical symptoms (lower back pain, lower limb pain) and neurological deficits disappeared within 3 months after surgery. However, normalization of the straight leg raise test took longer than recovery of other symptoms. The narrowing of the intervertebral space developed progressively within 3-6 months after surgery, and then the intervertebral space widened again. CONCLUSIONS: Each surgical approach achieved satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes.