A Minimally Invasive Cervical Laminoplasty is a procedure designed to increase the space for the spinal cord to pass through in the cervical spine and is completed by reconstructing the laminar arch. The procedure is generally used to treat patients with severe Cervical Spinal Stenosis or spinal cord compression.
Spinal cord compression is best handled with surgical intervention before symptoms such as Cervical Myelopathy begin to develop. The goal of surgery is to prevent progressing neurological deficits.
How is it performed?
First, a small incision in the back of the neck is made and the surgeon partially removes bone overlying the spinal cord. Specialized monitors are constantly watched to ensure the spinal cord is not being affected at every step. A hinge is made on one side of the lamina along with a tiny opening on the other side. The lamina is moved into an open position by elevating the lamina on the side with the tiny opening. This creates space for the spinal cord to pass through which in turn alleviates the pressure on the spinal cord. The opening of the canal will then result in relief from symptoms of Cervical Spinal Stenosis or spinal cord compression.
