Cervical laminoplasty is a surgical method performed to relieve symptoms of spinal stenosis, condition of narrowing the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis can put pressure on the spinal cords and nerves, which results in the symptoms like neck pain, numbness or weakness. The main goal of this surgery is to remove the pressure from the spinal cord in the neck. Bones are not removed during this surgery. Only the reshaping or repositioning of bones takes place.
PROCEDURE
Cervical laminoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Your doctor will make an incision on the back of your neck. After it, the back portion of vertebra is exposed by moving neck muscles and tissues using retractors. A hinge is made on one side of the vertebra by making a groove cut. A small opening is made on the other side of the vertebra using a drill. It allows the bones to open like a door. Decompression of spinal nerves and cord causes widening of spinal canal. This increases the space available for the spinal cord and reduces the pressure.
The back of each vertebrae are then opened to remove pressure from the spinal cord or nerves. Then the spinal processes of the vertebra are removed. Other compressing bodies such as bone spurs, excess or thickened ligaments are also removed. Placing small bone wedges in the open space of the door of bone. Then he closes the door. The lamina is then held open in the open space using metal plates. Then your surgeon brings back the soft tissues and muscles to their places and stitches the incision.