What is a laminectomy?

Back or neck pain that interferes with normal daily activities may need surgery for treatment. Laminectomy is a type of surgery in which a surgeon removes part or all of the vertebral bone (lamina). This helps ease pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots that may be caused by injury, herniated disk, narrowing of the canal (spinal stenosis), or tumors. A laminectomy is considered only after other medical treatments have not worked.

Top view of vertebra and disk.

Top view of laminectomy.

Why might I need a laminectomy?

Low back or neck pain can range from mild, dull, and annoying to persistent, severe, and disabling. Pain in the spine can restrict your ability to move and function. Laminectomy may be done to ease pressure on the spinal nerves, treat a disk problem, or remove a tumor from the spine.

One common reason for having a laminectomy is a herniated disk in the spine.

A disk may be displaced or damaged because of injury or wear and tear. Pain, and sometimes numbness or weakness, is caused when the disk presses on the spinal nerves. The numbness or weakness will be felt in the body part where the nerve is involved. This is often in the arms or legs. The most common symptom of a herniated disk is sciatica. This is a sharp, shooting pain along the sciatic nerve. It extends from the buttocks to the thigh and down the back of the leg.

If medical treatments no longer work, surgery may be a choice. Some medical treatments for pain may include:

• Changes in activity

• Medicines, such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medicines, and pain relievers

• Spinal injections

• Physical rehabilitation, physical therapy, or both

• Occupational therapy

• Weight loss (if overweight)

• Smoking cessation

• Assistive devices, such as mechanical back supports

Laminectomy is usually done for back or neck pain that continues after medical treatment. Or it's done when the pain is accompanied by symptoms of spinal cord or nerve damage. This includes numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. Loss of bowel or bladder control from pressure in the cervical or lumbar spine also usually needs surgery.

There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommend a laminectomy.

What are the risks of a laminectomy?

As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. Some possible complications may include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Blood clots in the legs or lungs

• Spinal cord or nerve root injury

• Risks linked to the use of general anesthesia

• The need for more surgery

Nerve or blood vessels in the area of surgery may be injured. This can cause weakness or numbness. The pain may not be eased by the surgery or may become worse. This is rare.

There may be other risks depending on your specific health condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the surgery.

How do I get ready for a laminectomy?

• Your healthcare provider will explain the surgery to you. They offer you the chance to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.

• You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the surgery. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

• In addition to a complete health history, your healthcare provider may do a physical exam to make sure that you are in good health before undergoing the procedure. You may have blood tests or other diagnostic tests.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, and anesthesia medicines (local and general).

• Tell your healthcare provider of all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements that you are taking.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of bleeding disorders. Or if you are taking any blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may be told to stop these medicines before the procedure.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant. Or think you could be.

• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before the surgery.

• You may get a sedative before the surgery to help you relax.

• You may meet with a physical therapist before your surgery to discuss rehabilitation.

• Certain activities may be limited after your surgery. Arrange for someone to help you for a few days with the household activities and driving.

• Your healthcare provider may have other instructions for you based on your health condition.

What happens during a laminectomy?

A laminectomy usually needs a stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

A laminectomy may be done while you are asleep under general anesthesia. Or it may be done while you are awake under spinal anesthesia. You will have no feeling from your waist down if spinal anesthesia is used. Newer methods are being developed that may allow a laminectomy to be done under local anesthesia as an outpatient. Your healthcare provider will discuss this with you in advance.

Generally, a laminectomy follows this process:

1. You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.

2. An IV (intravenous) line may be started in your arm or hand.

3. Once you are under anesthesia, a urinary drainage catheter may be inserted.

4. If the surgical site is covered with extra hair, the hair may be clipped off.

5. You will be positioned either on your side or belly on the operating table.

6. The anesthesiologist will continuously watch your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.

7. The healthcare staff will clean the skin over the surgical site with an antiseptic solution.

8. The surgeon will make a cut (incision) over the selected vertebra.

9. The surgeon will spread the muscles apart.

10. The surgeon removes the bony arch of the posterior part of the vertebra (lamina). Thiis done to ease the pressure on the nerves in the area. This may involve removing bone spurs or growths, or removing all or part of a disk.

11. In some cases, spinal fusion may be done at the same time. During a spinal fusion, the surgeon will connect two or more bones in your spine.

12. The incision will be closed with stitches or surgical staples. Before closing, a small drain might be placed in the wound to make sure fluid does not accumulate in the wound. It will be removed a few days later.

13. A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied.

What happens after a laminectomy?

Next steps

Before you agree to the test or procedure make sure you know:

• The name of the test or procedure

• The reason you are having the test or procedure

• What results to expect and what they mean

• The risks and benefits of the test or procedure

• What the possible side effects or complications are

• When and where you are to have the test or procedure

• Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are

• What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure

• Any alternative tests or procedures to think about

• When and how you will get the results

• Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems

• How much you will have to pay for the test or procedure