Cervical Laminectomy
What is a Cervical Laminectomy?
The term is derived from cervical (neck) plus lamina (part of the spinal canal's bony
structure) and -ectomy (removal). In the operating room, a cervical laminectomy begins
with an incision in the back of the neck. Through this opening, the surgeon will reach the
area where the spinal cord and/or spinal nerve(s) are being compressed. The operation is
performed to relieve pressure on one or more spinal nerve roots. This pressure, often
called nerve root compression, is what often causes neck and arm pain.
How is the operation performed?
After the incision is made, the surgeon uses a retractor to pull aside fat and muscle
until the surgeon reaches the cervical spine through the incision in the back of the neck.
When the vertebra is exposed,and the pinched nerve is located, a fine drill is then used
to remove a portion of one or more vertebra in order to reach the compressed nerve
root(s). The surgeon will remove the herniated/ruptured portion of the disk or any
disk fragments which are compressing the nerve. If the nerve compression is being caused
by the growth of bone matter (cervical stenosis) in the spinal canal or spinal nerve root
openings (foramen), a larger portion of the vertebra will be removed to provide access to
the point of compression. Bone matter will then be removed with a surgical drill.
This diagram is to show you more where this surgery is preformed.
Andrew's surgery
was C1-C4.
