Laminectomy is surgery to remove the lamina (two small bones that make up a vertebr) or bone spurs in the back. The procedure can take pressure off the spinal nerves or spinal column. Laminectomy opens up the spinal canal so that the nerves have more room. It is usually done along with a diskectomy, foraminotomy, and spinal fusion.
Other names for this surgery are:
- Lumbar decompression
- Decompressive laminectomy
Virtua's Spine Program
Virtua's Spine Program offers a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options for neck and back conditions. This includes everything from minimally invasive surgery to physical rehabilitation.
Virtua's Spine Program was the first program to be accredited in the Northeast, and only the second to achieve this prestigious recognition nationwide. This award-winning Spine Program is is led by a dedicated spine panel comprised of Virtua surgeons who set standards, monitor quality and provide excellent outcomes for patients. Virtua has the only spine program in the region that has earned the prestigious Joint Commission.
Virtua surgeons perform more than 1,000 spine procedures each year. Virtua also emphasizes education for patients and families about rehabilitation and recovery.
Definition
Laminectomy is surgery to remove the lamina, part of the bone that makes up a vertebra, or bone spurs in your back. The procedure can take pressure off your spinal nerves or spinal canal.
Alternative Names
Lumbar decompression; Decompressive laminectomy; Spine surgery - laminectomy
Description
Laminectomy opens up your spinal canal so your spinal nerves have more room. It may be done along with a diskectomy, foraminotomy, and spinal fusion. You will be asleep and feel no pain (general anesthesia).
- You will lie face down on the operating table. The surgeon will make an incision (cut) in the middle of your back or neck.
- The skin, muscles, and ligaments are moved to the side. Your surgeon may use a surgical microscope to see inside your back.
- Part or all of the lamina bones may be removed on both sides of your spine, along with the spinous process, the sharp part of your spine.
- Your surgeon will remove any small disk fragments, bone spurs, or other soft tissue.
- The surgeon may also do a foraminotomy (to widen the opening where nerve roots travel out of the spine) at this time.
- Your surgeon may do a spinal fusion to make sure your spinal column is stable after surgery.
- Surgery takes 1 to 3 hours.
Risks
Risks for any surgery are:
- Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
- Breathing problems
- Infection, including in the lungs (pneumonia), bladder, or kidney
- Blood loss
- Heart attack or stroke during surgery
- Reactions to medications
Risks for spine surgery are:
- Infection in wound or vertebral bones
- Damage to a spinal nerve, causing weakness, pain, or loss of feeling
- Partial or no relief of pain after surgery
- A return of back pain in the future
If you have spinal fusion, your spinal column above and below the fusion is more likely to give you problems in the future.