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A laminectomy relieves back and leg pain caused by this nerve root compression by removing all or part of the lamina. This immediately alleviates the pressure on the nerve root. If a herniated ...
- 3 min
- 1.1M
- Nucleus Medical Media
Sep 12, 2021 · This video outlines the surgical options that a patient might require to treat Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. I tell my patients that surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a last resort and should...
- 12 min
- 330.6K
- Dr. Brian Su - The Spine Guy
Mar 5, 2018 · Hello Recovery! Here is what to expect after lumbar surgery! It has been a long 6 months of chronic pain! I had a herniated L5S1 disc that was severely pinching my root nerve! I just completed...
- 8 min
- 100.1K
- Rebecca Roberto
- Overview
- What is lumbar laminectomy?
- What to expect with lumbar laminectomy procedure
- Who should get lumbar laminectomy surgery?
- What is the recovery time for this procedure?
- Are there complications from this surgery?
- Takeaway
A lumbar laminectomy is a surgery that treats compression of the spinal cord in your lower back. The surgery involves removing all or part of your vertebra called the lamina.
The lamina is the part of your vertebra that connects the body to the spiny part you can feel along your neck and back.
An estimated 200,000 or more U.S. adults have spinal nerve compression in their lower back, which is also called lumbar spinal stenosis. Doctors usually try to treat it with nonsurgical methods first, but they may recommend laminectomy or another surgery if those methods aren’t effective.
Keep reading to learn more about lumbar laminectomies, including what happens during the procedure, how long it takes to recover, and if there are any potential side effects.
Central spinal stenosis: The basics
Your spinal cord is the main nerve that runs from your brain down your spine. It runs through a hole in the middle of each vertebra called the spinal canal. Gradual wear and tear of your vertebrae and conditions like herniated discs can compress your spinal cord. Compression in your lower back can cause the following symptoms: •pain and stiffness in your lower back •burning pain down your legs •numbness and weakness in your legs •loss of sensation in feet •loss of bladder or bowel control •loss of sexual function Was this helpful? Typically during a laminectomy, the surgeon will remove the entire rear of a vertebra. This procedure can be performed on one or more vertebrae. If only one lamina is removed, the procedure is called a hemilaminectomy. If only part of the lamina is removed, it’s called a laminotomy. When one of the laminae is cut, but the rear of the vertebra isn’t removed, the procedure is called a laminoplasty. Surgeons use several different surgical techniques to perform a laminectomy. They can do it as an open surgery, which is most common, or as a minimally invasive procedure called microlaminectomy, which is performed under microscopic magnification with a smaller incision. In a 2017 study, researchers found that microlaminectomy was associated with shorter hospital stays and reduced costs in a small group of people. The researchers speculated that the shorter hospital stays were due to a reduction in post-surgery pain and avoiding the need for a wound drain.
Here’s a general idea of what you can expect during the classic open laminectomy:
1.You’ll be positioned face down and be given general anesthesia through an IV inserted into a vein in your hand or arm. A plastic tube will be inserted into your throat to help you breathe during the procedure.
2.Your surgeon will make an incision in the middle of your lower back. They’ll use special devices to hold back the muscle, skin, and fat so that they can access the bone.
3.Once they identify the correct location, they’ll cut the laminae and remove the rear part of the vertebra.
4.The surgeon will repeat the procedure on as many vertebrae as necessary.
5.Once they’re finished, they’ll close the wounds with stitches. You may have a wound drain placed after the surgery, which is usually taken out within a few days.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, you may be a candidate for surgery if you have:
•back and leg pain limiting normal activity or quality of life
•progressive neurological conditions like leg weakness
•loss of bowel function or bladder function
•trouble walking or standing
•no relief from medications and physical therapy
Many people experience pain relief after receiving a laminectomy or other decompressive surgery.
In a 2021 study, researchers found that 73% of 2,699 people who underwent lumbar decompression surgery experienced clinically significant symptom improvements within 2 years.
A laminectomy is generally considered a safe procedure, but like all surgeries, it comes with some risks.
In a large 2020 study, researchers found that the risk of developing a complication within 30 days of single-level laminectomy was 6.7% for inpatient procedures and 1.9% for outpatient. The risk was 7.38% for two-level inpatient procedures and 3.17% for outpatient. People in the outpatient group tended to be younger and have less obesity and fewer health complications.
Inpatient means spending one or more nights in the hospital and outpatient means going home the same day.
In a 2015 study, researchers reported the following complications in a group of 500 people:
•tear of the dura, the outer cover of the spinal cord: 10%
•spinal fluid leaked: 1.6%
Lumbar laminectomy is a surgery to treat spinal compression in your lower back. It involves removing the rear of one or more vertebrae. It’s usually a safe and effective treatment for spinal compression, but you need to be in good overall health to undergo general anesthesia.
Your doctor may recommend a lumbar laminectomy if other nonsurgical treatments don’t help manage your pain. They can also help you determine which type of spinal decompressive surgery is best for you.
- Daniel Yetman
Recovery after an open laminectomy surgery typically depends on the fitness and level of activity prior to surgery. A course of physical therapy may be advised to improve pre-surgical activity level in order to encourage better recovery after surgery.
Removing all or part of the lamina through a lumbar laminectomy can give the affected nerve root more space and a better healing environment. In a laminectomy surgery, the spine is approached through a 2 to 5 inch incision in the midline of the lower back.
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What Kind of Doctor Performs a Lumbar Laminectomy? Risks and Complications. What Are Potential Lumbar Laminectomy Risks and Complications? When Should I Call the Doctor After a Lumbar Laminectomy? Procedure. How Do I Prepare for a Lumbar Laminectomy? What Happens During a Lumbar Laminectomy? Recovery Time. What Is Recovery Like After a Lumbar ...
