Cervical or lumbar laminectomy/discectomy

Information for cervical or lumbar laminectomy/discectomy

The spine and spinal cord

The spinal cord is a large bundle of nerves that connects the brain with the rest of the body. The bones in your back or neck (vertebrae) cover and protect the spinal cord and nerves. The vertebrae are separated by pads or discs that allow movement. Nerve roots branch off and leave this spinal cord between the vertebrae and go to different parts of your body.

Spinal stenosis and disc herniation

The pressure on the spinal cord or nerves can cause weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, difficulty walking or pain. Pressure can be caused by spinal stenosis (narrowing of the space where the spinal cord and nerves sit) or disc herniation (bulging). This is sometimes also called disc prolapse or a slipped disc. Pressure can also be caused by bearing of the discs, injury, or for some other reasons.

The operation

Laminectomy is an operation that relieves the pressure on the nerve or spinal cord. Part of bone (Lamina) of one or more of the vertebrae is removed through an incision (cut) in the back or neck to make more space and relieve the pressure.

Lumbar discectomy is done to remove the part of the disc that is herniated (bulging). You may need either laminectomy, discectomy or both. It will be made clear to you the type of operation you will have.

Before the surgery (pre-admission visit)

Our office will book a date for you to come in to the hospital for pre-admission visit. At this visit a nurse will ask you about your health and help prepare you for surgery. You may have many tests done such as: blood work, ECG and chest x-ray. Other tests and assessments by specialty doctors (such as anesthetists) will be done as needed.

You will be given information at your pre-admission visit about where to go on the day of your surgery, what to bring with you to the hospital and how to prepare at home.

After surgery

You will stay in hospital overnight (unless other specified by the surgeon).

You will be moved from the operating room to the recovery room for a few hours. After a few hours you will be moved to the neurosurgical ward (D5, C5) or short stay unit (SSU).

The nurses will check your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The nurses will also ask you if you can feel them touching your arms or legs as well as to move your arms and legs. This is part of routine neurological testing.

You may have a tube called catheter that drains urine from your bladder. This usually will be taken out soon. You may have an intravenous (IV) in your arm. You may also have an oxygen tube at your nose. Both typically will be taken out in the morning.

During the same or next day after the operation, you will be slowly helped to drink, eat, go to the washroom and move around. You will also be given discharge information.

At home

Please remember that although your surgery will help to relieve the pain or neurological symptoms, there will also be some pain associated with surgery. You will be given medication to reduce the pain and allow you to move around. Getting out of the bed and walking is very important to help you to recover but do not overdo it. You should also have some time to rest.