Minimally Invasive Laminectomy
Laminectomy or Spinal Decompression is a surgical procedure that removes the back wall of the spinal canal, lamina, to create more space for the spinal cord, thus relieving pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. A laminectomy can be done at any level of the spine but is most commonly performed in the neck or low back (cervical and lumbar laminectomy).
Any surgery that relieves compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves is considered to be a decompression surgery. If the compression is due to a narrowed spinal canal, the procedure is a laminectomy. If the compression results from a herniated disc or similar, the procedure is a discectomy. A decompression surgery is used to treat the following common conditions:
- Spinal stenosis
- Radicular back pain
- Spondylosis
- Other conditions associated with nerve compression
Procedure
This procedure is done under general anesthesia with the patient lying on his/her stomach on a surgical bed. The Laminectomy procedure is performed through a small incision on the back of the spine.
Once the surgeon is able to reach the spine, he/she proceeds to remove the lamina with surgical tools. It takes pressure off the back part of the spinal cord and nerves. This procedure is not recommended for patients with spinal instability.
When the procedure is performed on only one side of the back, the surgery is called a hemilaminectomy and is usually done as part of a microdiscectomy in order to remove part of a disc herniation. A laminectomy may be part of a fusion surgery and is also referred to as posterior decompression.
Our Spine Surgeons have been performing laminectomy procedures for years in Boca Raton. For a preferred specialist in Boca Raton, call 561-549-9090.