Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Diagnostic Procedures
Pain Management Procedures
Traditional Spine Fusion Surgeries
Mini Spine Fusion and Spine Disc Replacement
Endoscopic Lumbar Laminotomy
An Endoscopic Lumbar Laminotomy is a minimally invasive spine procedure that offers an alternative to a traditional or open Laminotomy. It is probably the least invasive surgery for effective treatment of spinal stenosis.
The lamina is part of the bony arch of the vertebra that protects the spinal cord from damage. Almost every one of us will experience spinal degeneration and has spinal stenosis, meaning narrowing of spinal canal from fattening (hypertrophic) spinal ligaments, bone spur (facet arthritis), or bulging or herniations with osteophytes. Spinal canal narrowing will put pressure on the spinal nerves, it can cause back pain that radiates down the lower leg, along with other symptoms.
Patients experiencing such symptoms may be offered this decompressive surgical solution. During laminectomy procedure the surgeon removes part of the lamina, fatty ligaments, bone spurs, and/or herniated disc materials, relieving pressure on the nerves by giving them more space within the spinal column.
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What are the advantages of an Endoscopic Lumbar Laminotomy?
Advantages of endoscopic lumbar laminotomy surgery include the following:
- Minimally invasive or the currently least invasive
- Short recovery
- High success rates
- Minimal to no blood loss
- Local anesthesia
- Preservation of spinal mobility
- Small incision and minimal scar tissue formation
- Same day surgery with no hospitalization (outpatient procedure)
What Conditions Can Endoscopic Lumbar Laminotomy Treat?
Endoscopic Lumbar Laminotomy
- Spinal Stenosis
- Bone Spurs
- Herniated Discs
- Facet Joint Disease
How Is an Endoscopic Lumbar Laminotomy Surgery Done?
The patient is sedated with IV medication. After the skin is numbed, a small incision of 1-2 cm is made in the target area. Once the vertebrae is visualized, an x-ray may be taken to verify the target of surgery. An opening of the lamina above and below the spinal disc is created to relieve the painful nerve compression.
During this procedure the surgeon is also able to see the facet joints that cause spinal nerve compression in neruroforamen or spinal nerve canal and perform foraminotomy to decompress spinal nerve roots. If a herniated disc is a part of pain sources, the surgeon will remove herniated disc (discectomy). With these endoscopic procedures, the patient is free to leave the surgical center on the same day.
