During Your Surgery

Once in the operating room, you'll be given anesthesia. After you are asleep, an incision is made near the center of your low back. Your incision may be 2 to 6 inches long, depending on how many vertebrae are involved. In some cases, removing part or all of the lamina may be enough to relieve pressure on the nerve. But most often, disk matter or bone spurs must also be removed. Once the nerve is free of pressure, the incision is closed with stitches or staples. Your surgery may take 1 to 3 hours.

Laminotomy

During a laminotomy, part of the lamina is removed from the vertebra above and below the pinched nerve. The small opening created is sometimes enough to take pressure off the nerve. But in most cases, disk matter or a bone spur that is pressing on the nerve is also removed.

Laminectomy

During a laminectomy, the lamina is removed from the affected vertebra. The opening created may be enough to take pressure off the nerve. If needed, your surgeon can also remove any bone spurs or disk matter still pressing on the nerve. After laminectomy, the opening in the spine is protected by the thick back muscles.

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