A Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion is a spine procedure that involves the removal of the lamina of the spine to alleviate the pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This procedure is necessary when the patient feels symptoms of cervical stenosis, which is a progressive condition that compresses the spinal cord in the neck. These symptoms can included localized neck pain as well as pain or numbness that radiates into the shoulders and arms (known as Radiculopathy).
How is it performed?
Depending on the number of levels involved, a small incision is made in the back of the neck over the affected segment(s) of the spine. Using specialized surgical instruments, soft tissue and muscles are gently moved to the side to reveal the spinal bones and processes. A laminectomy, which is the removal of the domed roof of the spinal canal is performed first.
Screws are then placed on either side of the bones and held in place by a small rod on each side of the spine. The bony surfaces are then removed or trimmed and a bone graft is placed, which will fuse the bones together over time. The incision is then closed with a stitch and a bandage is applied to the area.
