Open Lumbar Laminectomy
WHAT IS IT?
Open lumbar laminectomy is an open decompression surgical procedure to treat the symptoms of the narrowing of the spinal canal. It involves the removal of all or part of the lamina, which is the back part of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal providing vertical structure for the spinal cord. The removal provides more space for the compressed spinal cord and/or spinal nerve roots. Patients suffering from neural tissue compression who may experience sciatic leg pain while walking or bending backward will notice improvement in lower back and leg functionality and reducing leg pain.
HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
General anesthesia will be applied to put the patient to sleep. A cut will be made over the selected vertebra level and the muscles encompassing the vertebra will be spread apart using appropriate instrumentation. Specialized tools will be used to remove all or part of the lamina. The incision will be closed with stitches or surgical staples and sterile dressing will be applied.