Laminectomy

How is Laminectomy performed? (Why we don't recommend it ?)

Why should Laminectomy be avoided?

01
Highly invasive: large incision and excessive cutting of normal tissues between skin and spine during laminectomy.
02
Excessive and unnecessary bleeding during and after surgery from muscle trauma by the surgeon.
03
Destruction of normal stabilizing bones including lamina and spinous process by the surgeon during laminectomy.
04
Destruction of normal stabilizing ligaments including supraspinous, interspinous and ligamentum flavum by the surgeon during laminectomy.
05
Destruction of normal muscles around the spine by the surgeon during laminectomy.
06
Excessive scar tissue forms around the spine and nerves after laminectomy.
07
Complications are common after laminectomy.
08
Disc herniations and degenerated discs are not treated when a laminectomy is performed. They are the most common cause of back and leg pain.
09
Adjacent segment disease is common after laminectomy and requires additional surgery.
10
Stenosis either persists or reoccurs commonly after laminectomy and will require additional surgery such as Fusion.
11
Excessive postoperative pain always occurs after laminectomy due to muscle trauma and necrosis (death of muscles). During laminectomy the muscles are torn off the spine by the surgeon in order to get down to the lamina. The dying muscles cause severe postoperative pain that always requires opioid painkillers and muscle relaxers. Opioid painkillers are highly addicting, cause tolerance, abuse and even death from breathing failure. 
12
Laminectomy does not treat back pain.
13
Back pain becomes worse after laminectomy. Fusion will be recommended.
14
Spinal fusion is frequently needed after laminectomy.
15
Long operating times are needed for laminectomy.
16
General intubated anesthesia is needed for laminectomy.
17
Additional surgery will be necessary in over 90% of patients having laminectomy.
18
Most laminectomy patients end up in pain management for years after laminectomy.

What complications occur with Laminectomy?

01
Nerve root damage
02
Spinal fluid leak
03
Infection
04
Instability from surgery
05
Fractured bones in spine
06
Residual stenosis