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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffLaminectomy, also called decompression, is surgery to remove the lamina — the back part of the vertebra that covers your spinal canal. Laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal, relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerves caused by narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis). Laminectomy may also be performed as part of surgical treatment for a herniated disk.
Laminectomy is not necessary for everyone who has spinal stenosis. Laminectomy usually is used when more conservative treatment, such as medication and physical therapy, has failed to relieve symptoms, or when symptoms are severe.
In some cases, laminectomy may be performed in conjunction with spinal fusion, a procedure that helps stabilize your spine.
- Back pain. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Back_Pain/default.asp. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00329. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Questions and answers about spinal stenosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Spinal_Stenosis/default.asp. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Laminectomy or laminotomy. North American Spine Society. http://www.spine.org/Pages/ConsumerHealth/SpineConditionsAndTreatments/CommonProblemsCorrectiveActions/CommonSurgicalProcedures/LaminectomyorLaminotomy.aspx. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Levin K. Lumbar spinal stenosis: Treatment and prognosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Weinstein JN, et al. Surgical versus nonsurgical therapy for lumbar spinal stenosis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358:794.
- Curlee PM. Other disorders of the spine. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.
- Williams KD, et al. Lower back pain and disorders of intervertebral disks. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.
