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Laminectomy

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What is laminectomy?

Overview: Laminectomy is a surgical procedure done to create space by removing the lamina – which is basically the back part of a vertebra that covers your spinal canal. Also known as decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal to help relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Pressure from a laminectomy is most commonly caused by bony overgrowths within the spinal canal, which may occur in people who have arthritis in their spines.

Laminectomy is generally conducted only when more conservative treatments such as medication, physical therapy or injections have failed to relieve your symptoms. Laminectomy may also be recommended if your symptoms are severe or worsening dramatically.

Your doctor may recommend a laminectomy if:

Conservative treatment failed to improve your symptoms
You experience muscle weakness or numbness that makes standing or walking tough
You experience loss of bowel or bladder control

At times, a laminectomy may be necessary as part of surgery to treat a herniated spinal disk. Your spinal surgeon may need to remove part of the lamina to gain access to the damaged disk.

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How do you prepare for laminectomy? (Preoperative)

You’ll be advised not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your laminectomy.
You will be asked by your doctor to quit smoking and stop blood thinning medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
You will be asked to undergo routine tests for assessing your health before surgery. These may include:

Chest X-ray
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Blood tests
Echocardiogram (to assess your current valve)
Coronary angiogram (to assess blood flow in your heart arteries)

What happens during laminectomy? (During laminectomy)

Your doctor will make a surgical incision around the skin of your back in the affected area. The muscles and soft tissues surrounding the spine will be pulled to the side, exposing the spine. Bones, bone spurs and ligaments will be cut away. This procedure is referred as decompression. You may also undergo spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, receive a special implant that will help stabilize the bones in the lower back. And the end of the surgery, the wound will be stitched, and anesthesia will be removed.

What happens after laminectomy? (Post-operative)

Although some people go home the same day, most are admitted to the hospital for at least one day
Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may need help getting out of bed and walking for up to a few days after your laminectomy
You'll be asked to limit your physical activities that include bending, stooping, or lifting for several weeks after your laminectomy
You’ll be asked to keep the incision site clean and dry
You’ll be asked to avoid long plane flights or car rides -- they can lead to blood clots

What are the potential risks associated with laminectomy?

Laminectomy is generally considered to be a safe procedure. But as with any major surgery, some complications can occur. Possible complications include:

Bleeding
Infection
Blood clots
Nerve injury
Spinal fluid leak

Lifestyle changes:

You’ll be advised to avoid lifting and bending for two to three months.

Key Terminologies

Spinal fluid leak: It is a watery fluid that circulates through the brain’s ventricles (cavities or hollow spaces) and around the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

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