Lumbar laminectomy surgery is a procedure for people with chronic back pain due to the wear and tear of spinal parts. This is done by removing a bony section over the back of spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. This surgery can treat various conditions such as herniated disc and progressive loss of nerve function, but lumbar laminectomy is only done when all other medical treatments fail.
Preparation for the procedure
Undergoing lumbar laminectomy surgery should be decided by you together with your surgeon. The doctor should explain and make you understand as much as possible about the procedure. This is the time when you can questions and everything that concerns you about the surgery. Once you decide on the surgery, your surgeon may require you to undergo first a thorough physical assessment. This is to make sure that you are in good condition before undergoing the operation. You will most likely be admitted in the hospital on the day or the night before the surgery. You will be advised not to eat or drink anything after midnight.
During the Procedure
General or spinal anesthesia will be given to numb your body or spine and put you to sleep during the surgery. You will then be asked and assisted to a kneeling-down position on the operating table. This position will make your spinal area more prominent and easier for the surgeon to work on. The surgeon will start the procedure by making an incision of about 2 to 5 inches long in the middle of your back. The back muscles covering the lamina are then dissected off to expose the spinal nerve roots. Removal of the lamina or laminectomy is then performed. Next, the surgeon will trim or cut the facet joints over the nerve roots to give more room for the spinal nerves. And finally, the muscles and tissues will be put back in place and the skin is stitched together.
After the Procedure
After the operation, you will remain in the hospital for 2 to 3 days to give yourself time to recover. The recovery period depends on different factors such as age, and the general condition of the patient. Immediate mobility is encouraged after the surgery to decrease certain complications, but you should refrain from strenuous activity for at least six weeks.
Complications
Like any surgery, lumbar laminectomy also comes with risks and complications such as nerve damage, blood clots, spinal fluid leak, bleeding, infection, nerve root damage and even worsening of back pain. These complications rarely happen, but if ever they occur, further surgery can correct the situation.
Lumbar laminectomy has been proven to have a very high success rate. Most patients who undergo it report a significant decrease in pain and discomfort and feel improvement in their daily lives. Read more interesting articles on this topic at smelly brain dot com.
