Background: The main aim of our study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of general anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia in single level lumbar microdiscectomies. Methods & materials: 40 ASA I and II, both male and female patients, posted for single level lumbar microdiscectomies were chosen for the study. Group GA underwent the operation under general anaesthesia and group EA underwent the surgery under epidural anaesthesia. Patients were observed in the recovery room for 24hrs. Conclusion: Epidural anaesthesia may be used as an alternative to general anaesthesia in single level lumbar microdiscectomies.