Lumbar Laminectomy
A Lumbar Laminectomy is where the Lamina and sometimes part of the Facet Joints are removed to allow room for the Lumbar nerves. They are usually compressed because of a degenerative process in the spine.
The most common reason to consider this procedure is to treat spinal stenosis, or it may be used to treat Sciatica which causes numbness or weakness in your leg(s).
If you are having surgery it usually means that the symptoms have not gone away with other treatments such as physiotherapy, rest, anti-inflamatory medications in either oral or injectable form.
The cause of these symptoms is usually a progressive degenerative process in the spine where the facet joints enlarge, the disc bulges and the ligament becomes thicker. When things like this occur, they compress the nerves to the legs and can cause some serious symptoms.
In the operating room, you are given a general anaesthetic and then positioned face down on a special frame. An incision is drawn on with a special pen, and the entire area is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. You are then covered in drapes so that only the incision can be seen. The level is checked with Xray. An incision is made through the skin down to the spinous process and the muscles moved out of the way. A retractor is used to keep them aside. The bone of the spinous process is removed using a special bone drill. The bone of the lamina and part of the facet joint might also be removed. This leaves the yellow ligament which is also removed to expose the dura and the compressed nerves.
Special attention is given to make sure that the nerves are completely decompressed. The openings under the facet joints that let the nerves out of the spine are checked and decompressed also if necessary.
Once this has been done and all bleeding is stopped the layers are then stitched back into their normal place. The skin will be closed with staples or sutures that will either have to be removed or dissolve on their own.
You will wake up in recovery and after about an hour be moved to your room. The nurses will continually monitor your vital signs and leg strength looking for any signs of complications. During the first night you will be awakened by the nurses to check your vitals and look for signs of complications. You will also have injections if needed for pain. This will be explained before surgery. Occassionally you will have trouble urinating and may require a catheter. You will also be encouraged to get up and walk a little.
The next day the IV will be removed from your arm after your next walk and then you will be given regular oral medication for pain. Gradually over the next 1 to 2 days you will be able to get around normally. When you are comfortable you will be able to go home.
Source: www.tsjh.org
Lumbar Laminectomy
OTHER RELATED INFORMATION
A Lumbar Laminectomy is where the Lamina and sometimes part of the Facet Joints are removed to allow room for the Lumbar nerves. They are usually compressed because of a degenerative process in the spine.
The most common reason to consider this procedure is to treat spinal stenosis, or it may be used to treat Sciatica which causes numbness or weakness in your leg(s).
If you are having surgery it usually means that the symptoms have not gone away with other treatments such as physiotherapy, rest, anti-inflamatory medications in either oral or injectable form.
The cause of these symptoms is usually a progressive degenerative process in the spine where the facet joints enlarge, the disc bulges and the ligament becomes thicker. When things like this occur, they compress the nerves to the legs and can cause some serious symptoms.
In the operating room, you are given a general anaesthetic and then positioned face down on a special frame. An incision is drawn on with a special pen, and the entire area is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. You are then covered in drapes so that only the incision can be seen. The level is checked with Xray. An incision is made through the skin down to the spinous process and the muscles moved out of the way. A retractor is used to keep them aside. The bone of the spinous process is removed using a special bone drill. The bone of the lamina and part of the facet joint might also be removed. This leaves the yellow ligament which is also removed to expose the dura and the compressed nerves.
Special attention is given to make sure that the nerves are completely decompressed. The openings under the facet joints that let the nerves out of the spine are checked and decompressed also if necessary.
Once this has been done and all bleeding is stopped the layers are then stitched back into their normal place. The skin will be closed with staples or sutures that will either have to be removed or dissolve on their own.
You will wake up in recovery and after about an hour be moved to your room. The nurses will continually monitor your vital signs and leg strength looking for any signs of complications. During the first night you will be awakened by the nurses to check your vitals and look for signs of complications. You will also have injections if needed for pain. This will be explained before surgery. Occassionally you will have trouble urinating and may require a catheter. You will also be encouraged to get up and walk a little.
The next day the IV will be removed from your arm after your next walk and then you will be given regular oral medication for pain. Gradually over the next 1 to 2 days you will be able to get around normally. When you are comfortable you will be able to go home.
Source: www.tsjh.org
Lumbar Laminectomy
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