Decompression Surgery
Types of Decompression Surgery
Laminectomy
The lamina (the bony arch at the back of the vertebra) is removed to widen the nerve pathway. This is the most traditional and widely used form of decompression.
Laminoplasty
Instead of completely removing the lamina, the surgeon reshapes and expands it while preserving the bone. By keeping the bony structure as intact as possible, this approach helps maintain spinal stability after surgery.
Partial Laminectomy (Laminotomy)
Only a small portion of the lamina is removed. This is chosen when the area of compression is limited.
| Procedure | What It Does | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Laminectomy | Removes the lamina | Most established; allows wide decompression |
| Laminoplasty | Expands the lamina while preserving bone | Maintains bony structure |
| Partial laminectomy | Removes only a small part of the lamina | Least invasive |