Laminectomy / Discectomy

Laminectomy or disectomy is a surgical procedure wherein the lamina of the vertebra (backbone) is trimmed or removed in order to create more space for the spinal canals and spinal nerves.

Laminectomy surgery is performed so as to treat spinal stenosis and reduce the pressure on the spinal cord. At first performed by Dr. Victor Alexander Haden Horseley, this surgery allows the elimination of spinal disc for treating degenerated disc, removal of tumors or bulging herniated disc. Anyway, as per reports laminectomy or discectomy is not always a big success. It can of course prevent the operated or affected area from weakening further, but is not guaranteed to get rid of the symptoms. There is a chance that the symptom may still remain.

As discussed above, the main reason for performing a laminectomy is the need of easing the pressure on nerve roots and nerves by eliminating a pulpy material that overhang from the disc. As a result of the operation, the pressure exerted on the nerves spinal cord emerging from it is reduced. The affected herniated disc can cause continuing back pain and weaken the leg muscle making it difficult for the patient to lift leg when held in straight position. It can also cause weakness and numbness in the arm and the pain is commonly set off when twisting your back or exerting heavy pressure while lifting heavy things.

There are many techniques performed to diagnose the symptom before surgery including computerized tomography scan or CT scan, spinal x ray, magnetic resonance imaging scan and myelogram. Before the operation, you have to perform various laboratory tests including blood and urine samples testing. Since the operation is done under general anesthesia, a pre-medical injection will be given. Moreover, you will have to be empty stomach hours before the operation. It is a face-down operation and is performed by making a small incision on the skin and then cutting the muscle and drilling the projected vertebrae with the help of bone cutters. The muscles are then sewn up and skin stitched.

There are many possible risk factors associated with laminectomy such as the operation may cause blood clot in the legs, produce wound infections, cause spinal cord injury, cause wound dehiscence or splitting open of the wound etc. Depending on the harshness of the injury of spinal cord, a problem called paraplegia or quadriplegia can be caused. It even carried various other operation risks such as heart problems and infections in the chest and even stroke. In certain cases, there is a possibility that the spinal cord where the spine was operated may be injured and this may result in paralysis.

Different levels of expectations are reported after laminectomy. Some are expected to be completely free from leg pain, while some others are expected to acquire walking capability soon. Even after the success of the surgery, still dissatisfied patients are also found. Recovery depends on the type of surgery performed to ease the stenosis. Some may begin to walk hours after surgery while the elderly will require the assistance of physical therapist. Non surgical options including medications and physical therapy are also available for treating spinal stenosis in the early stage. Cortisone injections at the low pain area can considerably reduce the back pain by lessening the inflammation of the nerve roots and spinal nerves.