Laminectomy - Decompressive
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your neurological history and examination;
your diagnostic tests;
a surgical approach; and
the procedure with you.
must have a thorough understanding of the diagnosis (what
is causing your back or leg symptoms) and the risks and
benefits of the proposed surgery. Once you are confident
that surgery is the correct option for you, turn your
thoughts to the future and the recovery process
the operating room, a decompressive lumbar laminectomy
begins with an incision in your lower back (Fig.
6). Through this opening, your surgeon will reach
the area where your cauda equina and/or spinal nerve(s)
are being pinched.
the Pinched Nerve
the incision is made, the surgeon will use a retractor
to pull aside fat and muscle until the vertebra
is exposed. A fine drill is then used to remove a section
of the vertebra (dotted lines in Figs. 7,above & 8).
Next, an opening is cut in the ligamentum flavum through
which the spinal canal can be reached.
the Cause of Pressure
the spinal nerve root(s) and cauda equina
have been exposed, the surgeon will use a fine drill
to remove bone spurs or rough edges of the intervertebral
disc (Fig. 9). This will make the openings
of the foramen and the spinal canal larger and help
to relieve pressure on your spinal nerves (Fig.
some occasions it may be necessary to stop the movement
between two adjacent vertebrae. This is called a fusion.
Your surgeon will place bone graft chips between the
vertebrae to create a solid section of bone which prevents
the motion. The surgeon may also elect to use metal
implants (Fig. 11) to prevent any motion while
the bone graft hardens.
operation is completed when each layer of the incision
closed with suture material (stitches) or surgical staples.
If the outer incision is closed with staples or non-absorbable
sutures, they will have to be removed after the incision
Laminectomy - Decompressive -page 1
- Decompressive -page 2
- Decompressive - page 4