Laminectomy Spine Surgery
It is a surgery which is done to take out the covering of a vertebra over the spinal canal known as a lamina.This is done to reduce pressure on spinal column or the nerves in it. The pressure in most situations is exerted by bony overgrowths in the spinal canal.These growths can occur in aged people or thosesuffering from an ailment like arthritis.Laminectomy is recommended when non-invasive treatments likemedication, physical therapy or injections fail to relieve pain.
- Procedure
A patient is put in a face down procedure during operation while a small incision is made on the lower back. Once done, a portion of the lamina is removed and ligamentum flavum - an elastic ligament connectingthe two vertebrae is exposed. A cut is made in ligamentum flavum to reach the spinal canal. Once a compressed nerve is seen, the cause for the compression is identified. In majority of situations a compression in the spinal column is caused by a herniated disc. While other causes can be a disc fragment, a bone spur, protruding discs, arthritis and yes not ruling out Tumours. On a need per basis,a surgeon will at times perform a spinal fusion to stabilize the spine. During a spinal fusion a small piece of bone is graftedfrom a patient’s pelvis onto the spine.
Recovery and Costs
Once the surgery is done a patient is shifted out of the operating room to an intensive care unit. On attaining stability, a patient is discharged. The stay in the hospital can vary from 3-4 days. Physical therapy is prescribed, and recovery time can vary from patient to patient. In most cases it usually takes 3 to 4 months for bones to heal properlybut one can also get to a normal routine in as less as 3 to 4 weeks. On the cost front a Laminectomy surgery costs 17000 USD and upwards in India while the same surgery costs 60000 USD and upwards in USA.
