Overview

 

Decompressive laminectomy is the most common type of surgery done to treat spinal stenosis. This surgery is done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots caused by age-related changes in the spine and to treat other conditions, such as injuries to the spine, herniated discs, or tumors. In many cases, reducing pressure on the nerve roots can relieve pain and allow you to resume normal daily activities.

Laminectomy removes bone (parts of the vertebrae) and/or thickened tissue that is narrowing the spinal canal and squeezing the spinal cord and nerve roots. This procedure is done by surgically cutting into the back.


What To Expect After Surgery ?

Depending on your health and the extent of the surgery, it may take several months or more before you are able to return to your normal daily activities.


Why It Is Done ?

Surgery for spinal stenosis is considered when :



Most spinal stenosis occurs in the lower (lumbar) back. If you have stenosis in the neck (cervical) area, your health professional may recommend surgery because this condition can cause spinal cord and nerve damage and paralysis.

The decision to have surgery is not based on imaging test results alone. Even if the results of imaging tests show increased pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots, the decision to have surgery also depends on the severity of symptoms and your ability to perform normal daily activities.

In some cases, spinal fusion will be done at the same time to stabilize the spine. Spinal fusion might make it easier for you to move around (improve function) and relieve your pain. It can also help keep the bones from moving into positions that squeeze the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal cord.


What is spinal decompression ?

Spinal decompression can be performed anywhere along the spine from the neck (cervical) to the lower back (lumbar). The procedure is performed through a surgical incision in the back (posterior).The lamina is the bone that forms the backside of the spinal canal and makes a roof over the spinal cord. Removing the lamina and other soft tissues gives more room for the nerves and allows for removal of bone spurs. Depending on the extent of stenosis, one vertebra (single-level) or more (multi-level) may be involved. There are several types of decompression surgery:



What happens During Surgery ?

There are seven steps of the procedure. The operation generally lasts 1 to 3 hours.


Step 1: prepare the patient
You will lie on your back on the operative table and be given anesthesia. Once asleep you will be rolled over onto your stomach with your chest and sides supported by pillows. The area where the surgery is to be performed will be cleansed and prepped. If a fusion is planned and you have decided to use your own bone, the hip area will be cleansed and prepped to obtain a bone graft. If you’ve decided to use donor bone, a hip incision is unnecessary.


Step 2: incision
A skin incision is made down the middle of your back over the appropriate vertebrae The length of the incision depends on how many laminectomies are to be performed. The strong back muscles are split down the middle and moved to either side exposing the lamina of each vertebra.


Step 3: Laminectomy or Laminotomy
Once the bone is exposed, an X-ray is taken to verify the correct vertebra. Laminectomy: The surgeon removes the bony spinous process. Next, the bony lamina is removed with a drill or bone-biting tools. The thickened ligamentum flavum that connects the laminae of the vertebra below with the vertebra above is removed (Fig. 3). This is repeated for each affected vertebrae.
Laminotomy: In some cases, the surgeon may not want to remove the entire protective bony lamina. A small opening of the lamina above and below the spinal nerve may be enough to relieve compression (Fig. 4). Laminotomy can be done on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) and on multiple vertebrae levels.


Step 4: Decompress the Spinal Cord
Once the lamina and ligamentum flavum are removed the protective covering of the spinal cord (dura mater) is visible. The surgeon can gently retract the protective sac of the spinal cord and nerve root to remove bone spurs and thickened ligament.


Step 5: Decompress The Spinal Nerve
The facet joints, which are directly over the nerve roots, may be undercut (trimmed) to give the nerve roots more room (Fig 5). Called a foraminotomy, this maneuver enlarges the neural foramen (where the spinal nerves exit the spinal canal). If a herniated disc is causing compression the surgeon will perform a discectomy.


Step 6: Fusion
If you have spinal instability or have laminectomies to multiple vertebrae, a fusion may be performed. Fusion is the joining of two vertebrae with a bone graft held together with hardware such as plates, rods, hooks, pedicle screws, or cages. The goal of the bone graft is to join the vertebrae above and below to form one solid piece of bone.There are several ways to create a fusion. The right one for you depends on your own choice and your doctor’s recommendation.

The most common type of fusion is called the posterolateral fusion. The topmost layer of bone on the transverse processes is removed with a drill to create a bed for the bone graft to grow. Bone graft, taken from the top of your hip, is placed along the posterolateral bed. The surgeon may reinforce the fusion with metal rods and screws inserted into the vertebrae. The back muscles are laid over the bone graft to hold it in place.


Step 7. Closure
The muscle and skin incisions are sewn together with sutures or staples.

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