Laminotomy

Laminotomy is an orthopaedic neurosurgical procedure that removes part of the lamina, the bony arch of a vertebra, in order to relieve pressure inside the vertebral canal. It is less invasive than a full laminectomy, because it leaves more of the surrounding ligaments and muscles attached to the spinous process intact and requires removing less bone from the vertebra, and it typically allows a faster recovery with fewer complications than the more extensive procedure. Possible risks during or after the operation include infection, hematoma, and tears of the dura, the membrane covering the spinal cord. Laminotomy is most often performed to treat lumbar spinal stenosis and herniated discs, and MRI or CT imaging is commonly used both before and after surgery to judge whether the procedure succeeded.