Posterior spinal decompression is one of the most common surgical procedures to release neural structures when nonoperative treatment has failed and is usually the procedure performed for degenerative conditions such as spinal stenosis, especially in middle-aged and elderly patients. It is one of the most common spinal surgeries among cohorts more than 65 years of age. The classical laminectomy constitutes a central, facet joint sparing laminectomy. The spinous process and the lamina are removed limited laterally to the medial part of facet joints. There was no benefit in preserving the midline structures. The central canal, the lateral recesses, and the neural foramina need to be decompressed for good clinical recovery and prevention of failed back surgery syndrome.
Currently, there are several techniques to accomplish posterior spinal decompression, such as open or minimally invasive laminectomy, hemilaminectomy, laminotomies, and laminoplasty. Decompression techniques classify as direct and indirect; direct procedures involve those techniques with visualization of the dural sac during the surgery, such as laminectomy. On the other hand, indirect decompression takes place without dural sac visualization. Laminectomy alone or associated with fusion is one of the most common procedures performed by a spinal surgeon.
The goals of the surgery include:
Reduce neurological claudication
Halt clinical deficits and
Promote functional ambulation.
Copyright © 2024, StatPearls Publishing LLC.