Intraoperative ultrasound of the spine has been used in neurosurgery (tumours) and traumatology (reposition of fractured vertebral bodies fragments).To describe initial experiences with this method and to document the opportunities and problems.24 nucleotomies were documented and evaluated. Sonography was performed using a 7.5 MHz sector probe and a typical surgical approach.In 21 of 24 cases, imaging of intraspinal structures was possible. The complete extraction of the herniated disk could be documented. In 3 cases the examination failed because the probe was too large to be pushed down between the spinous processes and the wound retractor to the operative site.Intraoperative sonography can be used easily as a routine method for exploration of the spinal canal. Technical innovations in the probes would make the method even more feasible.