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MINI: The reoperation probabilities for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc disease did not differ among open discectomy, laminectomy, percutaneous endoscopic discectomy and fusion during the 10-year follow-up period. However, OD was the most commonly used technique in reoperation. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of a nationwide sample database. OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study was to compare the long-term incidence of reoperation for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc disease (HIVD) after major surgical techniques (open discectomy, OD; laminectomy; percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, PELD; fusion). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA HIVD is a major spinal affliction; if the disease is intractable, surgery is recommended. Considering both the aging of patients and the chronicity of lumbar degenerative disease, the effect of surgical treatment for the lumbar spine should be durable for as long as possible. METHODS The National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) of Republic of Korea was utilized to establish a cohort of adult patients (N = 1,856) who underwent first surgery for lumbar HIVD during 2005 - 2007. Patients were followed for 8-10 years. Considering death before reoperation as a competing event, reoperation hazards were compared among surgical techniques using the Fine and Gray regression model after adjustment for age, gender, Charlson comorbidity score, osteoporosis, diabetes, the severity of disability, insurance type and hospital type. RESULTS The overall cumulative incidences of reoperation were 4% at 1 year, 6% at 2 years, 8% at 3 years, 11% at 5 years and 16% at 10 years. The cumulative incidences of reoperation were 16%, 14%, 16% and 10% after OD, laminectomy, PELD and fusion, respectively, at 10 years postoperation, with no difference among the surgical techniques. However, the distribution of reoperation types was significantly different according to the first surgical technique (P < 0.01). OD was selected as the reoperation surgical technique in 80% of patients after OD and in 81% of patients after PELD. CONCLUSION The probability of reoperation did not differ among OD, laminectomy, PELD and fusion during the 10-year follow-up period. However, OD was the most commonly used technique in reoperation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.