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Laminoplasty Surgery
Relevant information about Laminoplasty Surgery.
Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure usually done for the treatment of Spinal Stenosis. It consists on relieving pressure on the spinal cord by repositioning the lamina, which is the bony arch on the dorsal surface of a vertebra from the spinal column. This technique is an alternative for Laminectomy and differs from it in the amount of bone and muscle tissue that has to be removed, displaced, or dissected in the procedure.
The main problem solved by this surgery is Spinal Stenosis. This condition, also known with the alternative name of narrowing, occurs within the spinal column when the spinal canal that contains the nerve roots and spinal cord becomes restricted. This narrowing, that can affect one or more areas of the spinal column, ends up squeezing the nerves and the spinal cord. The pressure caused, generates lower back and leg pain. Pain tends to occur after walking and relieves when the individual sits down or does an action that bends forward the spinal column, thus generating more space for the spinal cord and nerves from the spinal canal. Individuals with Arthritis or over the age of 50 tend to develop Spinal Stenosis, resulting from disease or age progression. Also, some individuals can have Congenital Stenosis, which happens when the person is born with a small spinal canal. However, some of the individuals who suffer from a type of Spinal Stenosis never develop symptoms. The causes of this are unknown.
First of all, the affected area from the spinal column is sterilized for making incisions. An incision about two inches long is then made. Next, the retractor is used to put aside the muscles and nerves underlying the skin. Once the spinal canal and the lamina from the affected vertebra are visible, the lamina is cut on one side while simply making a groove on the other side of it. The flap of bone then swings open, reducing the amount of pressure on the spinal canal. After the lamina bone has been swung open, it is hold on with the help of wedges or small pieces of bone. This allows the widening of the spinal canal to remain for a long time without being altered. If the affected vertebrae are more than one, the previous process is repeated. Finally, at the end of the procedure, the incision is sterilized and closed with embedded stitches or tapes.
In most cases, patients who undergo this type of surgery are out of the hospital in two or three days. During the hospital stay, pain medications may be given and the patient will be encouraged to get up and start walking the day after the surgery. If the operation has been made in the cervical zone, a cervical brace will be required to be used for about six weeks after the procedure.
During this type of procedure nerve damage can happen due to the proximity of the spinal canal. This usually occurs when a surgical instrument damages one of the nerves from the zone. Consequence of this is muscle weakness and loss of sensation to the areas supplied by the damaged nerve. However this complication tends to be rare.
The surgery stabilizes the zone treated, and in most cases eliminates the pain and symptoms. In addition, many patients who have the operation tend to experience a much better quality of life for at least 10 years.
Laminoplasty sometimes will not totally relieve the pain symptoms. Also, after some years, spinal column deterioration may begin again.
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