Lumbar Laminectomy - Decompressive
Page 3 of 4

The Operation

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Your surgeon will:

1. review your neurological history and examination;
2. review your diagnostic tests;
3. plan a surgical approach; and
4. review the procedure with you.

In 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.

After 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.

Once 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. 10,next page).

On 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.

The operation is completed when each layer of the incision is 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 has healed.