Objective To study the relationships between surgical procedures and the recurrence of herniated lumbar discs in order to improve surgical methods and reduce the chance of recurrence.Methods Clinical data on 2806 patients with herniated lumbar discs who had been operated on by removing nucleus pulposus using the transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-four of these cases received a second operation because of recurrence and were followed up for 3 months to 2 years by telephone or WeChat software.Results The causes of recurrence included iatrogenic injury to annulus fibrosus, bone fragment residuals in case of processus articularis, endplate injury, formation of hematoma, and nerve root adhesion.Conclusions There are many causes of recurrence of herniated lumbar discs after lumbar transforaminal endoscopic surgery.The incidence of recurrence can be reduced if surgeons can find the exact location of herniated lumbar discs, operate carefully, keep track of the development of the disease,and deal with postoperative complications promptly.