Abstract Background: Unintended durotomy is the most frequent intraoperative complication during lumbar spine surgery reaching up to 16% in some studies. It must be managed properly by the surgeon intraoperatively and postoperatively. Aim of Study: The aim of the study is to recognize the risk factors for unintended durotomies in lumbar spine surgery. Patients and Methods: The study was conducted over 263 patients who were operated upon for lumbar spine degen-erative disease, from which data was collected including age, type of surgery, associated medical disorders. Results: Discectomy was done for 65 patients and lami-nectomy was done for 198 patients. Four cases had durotomy in the discectomy patients while 29 cases had unintended durotomy in the laminectomy patients. The incidence was higher in older patients (mean 65±13 vs 53±14 years of age). Unintended durotomy is more in revision surgery. Conclusion: The incidence of unintended durotomy is more in laminectomy, recurrent surgeries, lumbar fixation and older age.