To compare the results of the chemonucleolysis and the automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy(APLD) for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation, retrospective study of 19 chemonucleolysis and 20 APLD was done from July, 1984 to February, 1993. Number of male patients was 23 and female 16. The patients ranged in age from 14 to 56 years. L4-5 was the most commonly involved level comprising 73.6%, and 2 level involvement was 20.5%. Clinical results were evaluated according to Mcnab s criteria. Excellent and Good result were 31.6% and 47.3% in chemonucleolysis with an average follow up period of 6.2 years, and those were 35% and 45% respectively in APLD with an average follow up period of 18.7 months. Among 19 chemonucleolysis, there were loss of disc height in 8, and lateral recess stenosis in 1. Among 20 APLD, there were loss of disc height in 2, and nerve root irritation symptoms in 2. Chemonucleolysis and APLD have a low morbidity, can be performed under the local anesthesia and are simple, rapid and less traumatic procedure.