What is Minimally Invasive Lumbar Laminoplasty?

A minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy is sometimes referred to as a minimally invasive decompression. This surgery removes less tissue damage in the lower back portion of the spine by relieving pressure on the spinal nerves there.

This is one of the most commonly used surgical procedures for the treatment of symptoms derived from spinal arthritis. It is done to reduce tissue damage, post-operative pain, increase the rate of recovery, and obtains results similar to open surgery.

Doctor performs this procedure through a very small incision, the size of a nickel, with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue and cutting recovery time, with the help of an innovative minimally invasive procedure. Doctor uses specialized tubes that spread the muscles, thus he does not have to cut the muscles during surgery like in a traditional laminectomy.

When is a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy done?

A minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy may be performed for patients to treat:

Spinal arthritis inflammation of the facet joints in the spine or sacroiliac joints between the spine and the pelvis.
Spinal stenosis narrowing of the spinal canal
Herniated discs which compress the nerve roots or the spine
Spondylolisthesis a spinal condition characterized by the forward movement or "slippage" of one vertebra in relation to the vertebra below it

Who would be suitable for a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy?

Although there are many factors to consider before declaring who would make a good candidate for minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy, including the nature of one's specific spinal condition and level of symptoms, one's overall health will also be considered.

How is a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy performed?

For the laminectomy, doctor will make a small incision, the size of a nickel, in the back at the level of nerve compression using a device known as a tubular retractor. A thin, tubular instrument can be used in order to tunnel or gently push aside the muscle and soft tissues that can get access to the compressed nerves inside the spine. Then they use little tools inserted through the tunnel to operate and decompress the affected nerves.

What are the advantages of minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy?

Unlike most open surgeries, which make rather big incisions and muscle cuts to reach the area of interest, the minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy calls for minimal incision and special techniques in access and obtaining a view of the area concerned. This would mean minimal tissue damage; postoperative pain minimized, faster recovery, and outcomes equivalent to those of open surgery.

The advantages of the procedure include that its incision is smaller compared to the traditional methods, with less damage on muscle and soft tissue, faster recovery time, limited blood loss, and reduction in post-operative pain as most patients avoid using narcotic medications.

What can I expect during recovery after minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy?

Your back should be a little stiff or sore after surgery. In general, the pain does improve in the days after surgery. You may feel significantly better and more symptomatic relief right away, or you may feel much better over the next few days or weeks. You will have trouble sitting or standing for periods of time for several weeks following your surgery, and an anti-inflammatory medication can be very helpful. Here are some other tips that might be helpful:

Rest when you're tired. You'll need it to recover.
Try to walk a bit more each day. Get up this morning and walk just a tiny bit further than you walked yesterday. Gradually increase the distance you walk.
Avoid activities that make it difficult for you to strain. This could be carrying heavy groceries or milk bags, a heavy briefcase or backpack, heavy bags of cat litter or dog food, vacuum cleaner, or a child.
Try to switch position every 30 minutes if you are sitting or standing. That will help reduce the back pain while you recover.
Avoid heavy exercise, bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting or aerobic exercises until doctor allows you to do so.
Recovery is very short for the patient because tissue damage is minimal.

How long does a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy procedure take?

The time during surgery for one level or one vertebra can be in the range of 30 to 90 minutes. For one or more spinal levels, this procedure of minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy depends on the extent of the disease that needs to be addressed. The time taken to ensure safe practices in the operating room, such as induction of anesthesia, positioning the patient on a special bed, and waking from anesthesia safely after the procedure is done, is not covered.

Generally, in most instances, a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy is an ambulatory surgery; they can go home the same day as surgery to recover. Patients usually may get up and walk right after surgery, and most of them find that leg pain that they had before surgery is relieved immediately.

How long does it take to recover after a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy?

Sometimes the patients can return home on the same day to recover. For procedures in which the patient will require surgery on more than one level of the spine, they will spend as little as one night or up to two nights in the hospital prior to going home to continue their recovery at home. Patients can usually do almost all the things they could before surgery, including bathing, dressing, eating, and short, gentle walks right after surgery. Depending on your surgeon's plan, you may start to participate in physical therapy activities three to six weeks after surgery.

What are possible complications or risks with minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy?

Any type of surgery involves risks. Some can be generalized, such as bleeding or infection, or damage to the surrounding structures. The risk of infection from minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy is extremely low - less than 1%. There is exact sterility taken during the procedure. Patients receive antibiotics prophylactically before surgery is begun. Generally, some bleeding occurs during most surgery and is exactly controlled by the surgeon. Sometimes a surgical drain will be placed by the surgeon. This is an instrument which will prevent accumulation of fluid, such as blood and more fluids in the surgical site.

In very rare cases a hematoma (a collection of blood beneath the skin) can form in the area of surgery which may require another surgery to remove. Finally, as any surgical procedure which passes devices near the spinal canal is involved, there is a low risk that the thecal sac (the sack that contains the nerves and spinal fluid) or even individual nerve roots themselves may get injured. A tear or puncture of the dura must be repaired and may require an extended hospital stay. Though rare, this is still a risk of this procedure as have been documented for it. Nerve roots can sometimes be inflamed as a result of the surgery; however this can be medicated with anti-inflammatories.

Why Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Laminoplasty in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Hospital has the most experienced spine surgeons provides Minimally Invasive Lumbar Laminoplasty in Lucknow, India. We provide advanced spinal care with modern surgical facilities and a medical team. Our focus on patients ensures safety, precision, and faster recovery. This makes us one of the best hospital for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Laminoplasty in Lucknow, India.