A cervical laminectomy Surgery is an operation done from the back of the neck to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It involves carefully removing the bony roof (or laminae) of the spinal canal, as well as any soft tissue which may also be causing compression. Spinal stenosis is the gradual narrowing of the spinal canal, usually caused by arthritis, bone spurs, or the general wear and tear on the spine that occurs over time.
A cervical laminectomy Surgery creates more space in the canal for the spinal cord and nerve roots, releasing the pressure and eliminating discomfort and numbness. Generally, 90-95% of patients obtains a significant benefit from surgery, and this is usually maintained in the long term.
Symptoms Of cervical laminectomy Surgery
Many people older than age 50 have some narrowing of spinal canal but not symptoms. Cervical spinal stenosis does not cause symptoms unles spinal cord or nerves becomes squeezed. Symptoms usually develop gradually:
- Stiffness, pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, or legs.
- Balance and coordination problems, such as shuffling or tripping while walking. Cervical spinal stenosis can be crippling if the spinal cord is damaged.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control (incontinence).
Benefits of a cervical laminectomy may therefore include:
- Relief of neural compression (pressure on the spinal cord and nerves)
- Pain alleviation.
- Medication reduction.
- Prevention of deterioration.
- Stabilisation of the spine and protection of the spinal cord and nerves from damage.
Imaging tests cervical laminectomy surgery
- X-rays. An X-ray of your back can reveal bony changes, such as bone spurs that may be narrowing the space within the spinal canal. Each X-ray involves a small exposure to radiation.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of your spine. The test can detect damage to your disks and ligaments, as well as the presence of tumors. Most important, it can show where the nerves in the spinal cord are being pressured.
- CT or CT myelogram. If you can’t have an MRI, your doctor may recommend computerized tomography (CT), a test that combines X-ray images taken from many different angles to produce detailed, cross-sectional images of your body. In a CT myelogram, the CT scan is conducted after a contrast dye is injected. The dye outlines the spinal cord and nerves, and it can reveal herniated disks, bone spurs and tumors.
Risks cervical laminectomy surgery
Risks associated with a cervical laminectomy surgery include:
- Bleeding
- infection
- damage to the spinal cord or other nerves
- weakening or loss of function in the legs
- blood clots
- leakage of spinal fluid resulting from tears in the dura, the protective membrane that covers the spinal cord
- worsening of back pain.
Cervical Laminectomy surgical procedure
- The Cervical Laminectomy procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
- The surgeon makes an incision on the back of the neck in the middle
- The muscles overlying the spine are separated from the bones
- The surgeon then removes the spinal laminae (sheet-like projections that arise from the body of the vertebra on either side) and the spine (the laminae fuse at their ends to form a projection called the spine) to free up the pressure on the spinal cord
- Additional soft tissue and bony fragments that may have been causing compression is also removed.
Discharge instructions cervical laminectomy surgery
- Use your prescribed pain medication, muscle relaxers, and laxatives as directed.
- Wear your brace as directed.
- If you have “Steri-Strips”, these can be removed as they begin to peel off in several days.
- If you have stitches or staples, these can be removed in 7 days (14 if this is a re-operation). The doctor’s staff or your local doctor/visiting nurse can do this.
- Do not soak your incision in water for 7 days. You can shower in 4 to 5 days.
- Do not do any heavy lifting for 3 months (i.e. nothing heavier than a carton of milk). After that you can gradually increase your lifting to normal. Walking is encouraged and bending can be done within the restrictions of your brace.
Best Spine Surgeon In India
Director , MBBS, MS, MCh, Fellowship
20 Years of Experience Gurgaon, India.
- Dr Sandeep Vaishya is an awardee of the Herbert Krause Medal and the Sundt Fellowship at Mayo Clinic, USA. He has worked as a faculty in the neurosurgery Department at AIIMS.
- He specializes in Minimal Invasive and Image Guided Neurosurgery, Intracranial Tumor Surgery including skull base tumors, Functional Neurosurgery.
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Surgeon Consultant , MBBS, MS
13 Years of Experience, Gurgaon, India.
- Dr. Hitesh Garg has extensive experience in spine surgery having trained from the best spine centers of the world and India. Dr. Garg specializes in the comprehensive treatment of numerous conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine including degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, trauma, infections, and tumors.
- He has performed more than 4500 spine surgeries including more than 1500 spinal fusions, 1000 deformity correction procedures (Scoliosis and kyphosis), 150 lumbar and cervical artificial disc replacements. In spite of being offered a faculty position in USA, he chose to come back to India with the aim to establish an advanced spine center of international repute in India.
Director , MBBS, MS, DNB
28 Years of Experience
Gurgaon , India
- Dr. Vineesh Mathur has over 25 years of orthopaedic and spinal experience and over 5000 successful independent surgeries to his name. He has worked at leading hospitals all over the world including in Turkey, Spain, Denmark, USA and at Seoul National University Hospital, South Korea.
- His expertise and specialization in spinal surgery, deformity and tumors have lead to Dr. Mathur being inducted in to esteemed associations such as the Association of Spine Surgeons of India and the North American Spine Society.
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Established in : 2009
Number of Beds : 1250
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