Information AboutLaminectomy |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT LAMINECTOMY | |
| surgery | |
| orthopedic surgery | |
|
Laminectomy is a Surgical Procedure for treating Spinal Stenosis by relieving pressure on the Spinal Cord . The Lamina of the Vertebra is removed or trimmed to widen the Spinal Canal and create more space for the Spinal Nerve s. The first laminectomy was performed in 1887 by Dr. Victor Alexander Haden Horsley , a professor of surgery at the University College London . He was lauded for his breakthrough procedure. A common type of laminectomy is performed to permit the removal or reshaping of a spinal disc as part of a lumbar Discectomy . This is a treatment for a Herniated Disc , bulging or degenerated disc. HERNIATED INTERVERTEBRAL DISC One of the most common reasons for laminectomy is a prolapsed or Herniated Intervertebral Disc . If the herniated disc is in the Lumbar Region , this can cause sharp and continuing back pain, a weakening of the muscles in the leg, and some loss of sensation in the leg and foot. It may also be difficult to raise the leg when it is held in a straight position. A Herniated Disc in the neck region can cause symptoms including pain, numbness and weakness in the arm. A herniated disc may be triggered by, for example, twisting the back while lifting something heavy. The surgeon will attempt to relieve the pressure on nerves and nerve roots by removing the pulpy material that is protruding from the disc. MEDICAL ISSUES TO CONSIDER Tests are usually performed prior to surgery to aid diagnosis. These tests may include:
Your surgeon should explain the nature of your operation, the reasons for it, the outcome and the possible risks involved. They should be able to tell you the approximate length of stay in hospital that will be required and the number of weeks you will need to recuperate before returning to work. Your anaesthetist will visit you to see how suitable you are for surgery. Laboratory tests, including blood and urine samples, are taken before the operation. OPERATION PROCEDURE The patient will have 'nil by mouth' (nothing to eat) for a number of hours prior to surgery, and an Enema to empty the bowel. A pre-medication injection is usually given to promote drowsiness and to dry up some internal secretions. Laminectomy is usually performed under General Anaesthetic . The patient is placed face-down on the operating table. The exact procedure depends on the location of the herniated disc; e.g., if the disc is located in the neck, the head is clamped to prevent movement. The skin is marked for incision. The surgeon first cuts through the skin. The muscle is then cut, peeled back from the vertebrae and held in place with special instruments called Retractors . The lamina, which is between the bony projection of the vertebrae (the 'points' that can be felt with fingers) and the transverse process or 'wing', is removed. What happens next depends on the problem. For example, the surgeon may then trim the protruding bits of a herniated disc. Once the surgery is completed, the muscle and skin are sutured (sewn) closed. Immediately after the operation After the operation, the patient can expect:
Possible complications Some of the possible complications of laminectomy include:
Post-operative recovery Although guided by a doctor, general suggestions include:
Long term outlook A regular exercise program following surgery is most important to increase your spinal muscle strength and flexibility, and to protect against future injury. Occasionally, the operation doesn't work and the original symptoms remain. At other times, the operation isn't expected to relieve symptoms, but is performed to prevent the area from deteriorating further. In this case, original symptoms will probably remain, but might not get any worse. Some patients may develop chronic back pain after laminectomy surgery, a medical condition known as " Postlaminectomy Syndrome ." Some surgeons believe that the laminectomy procedure, by removing excessive amounts of bone and ligament from the spine, disturbs the biomechanical stability of the spinal column, resulting in pain. Alternative techniques for decompressing spinal nerves with minimal disruption of spinal stability have been developed and include Microsurgical Lumbar Laminoplasty . OTHER FORMS OF TREATMENT Even with signs of spinal nerve pressure, such as Sciatica , recovery without any treatment may occur. Alternative treatment to surgery isn't always possible, but generally should be tried first. This may include:
Discectomy without laminectomy may also be an option, and this can often be done as day surgery using Arthroscopic Microscopic discectomy. EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|