Laminectomy
Laminectomy is a type of spine surgery where the surgeon removes part or all of the vertebral bone (lamina). Another name for this surgery is “spinal decompression.” This procedure is aimed to release pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots that may be caused by injury, herniated disk, narrowing of the canal (spinal stenosis), or other spinal conditions by enlarging the spinal canal. Many times, this pressure is caused by bony overgrowths or disc herniations.
When is a laminectomy performed?
Bony overgrowths of the joints in the spine can build up within the spinal canal. They can narrow the space for the spinal cord and nerves. This pressure can cause pain, weakness and even numbness that can radiate down arms or legs.
Because laminectomy restores spinal canal space, it is most commonly utilized to relieve the pressure that causes radiating pain due to bony overgrowths and other spinal conditions that cause spinal cord narrowing.
Dr. Casnellie or Dr. McConda might recommend a patient undergo a laminectomy if:
Conservative treatment, such as medication and physical therapy, fails to improve symptoms
Muscle weakness or numbness makes standing or walking difficult for a patient
Symptoms include loss of bowel or bladder control
In some situations, laminectomy may be necessary as part of another spinal surgery to treat a herniated spinal disk. A surgeon may need to remove part of the lamina to get to the damaged disk during that procedure.
Description of Procedure
At Aptiva Health, our Spine Team utilizes both outpatient hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for this procedure. Typically, a laminectomy is performed under general anesthesia where you are unconscious and your heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and neurological system are monitored. Once under anesthesia, your orthopedic spine surgeon will make a small incision in your back over the affected vertebrae(s) and move muscle away from your spine in a minimally invasive fashion. Once this incision is made, the spine surgeon will remove the bony arch of the posterior part of the vertebra (lamina) to ease the pressure on the nerves in the area. The surgeon will also remove the herniated portion of the disc (if surgery is needed for a herniated disc) and any pieces that have broken loose. Once the herniated disc portions are removed and lamina is removed the incision will be closed with stitches or surgical staples and sterile bandaging or dressings will be applied.
Recovery after Procedure
Immediately after the procedure you will be taken to the recovery room. Many patients will be under 23 hour observation where they will be monitored and discharged according to their recovery from general anesthesia. Most patients will be able to start getting out of bed and walking the evening of their surgery. Patients are typically given medicines and provided post-operative instructions and given a follow up appointment. Keeping the incision site clean is imperative while at home. It is also very important to follow all of your surgeon’s instructions and restrictions.
In the event you have any of the following symptoms after surgery, call your surgeon right away:
Fever
Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other abnormal drainage from the incision site
Increased pain around the incision site
Numbness in your legs, back or buttocks
Trouble urinating or loss of control of your bladder or bowel
Once you are seen for follow-up your surgeon will discuss additional post-operative planning and treatment, which will likely include a course of outpatient post-operative physical therapy and a return to work plan.