surgical spinal decompression

surgical spinal decompression is used to relieve the pain caused by pinched nerves (neural shock).

During a surgical spinal decompression, a small portion of the bone on the nerve root and / or disk material underneath the nerve root is eliminated to give the nerve root more space and provide a better healing environment .

There are two common types of decompression surgery procedures of the spine:

microdiskectomy

Microdiskectomy (a microdecompresión) is generally performed for the pain of a lumbar disc herniation. Surgery is considered reliable for leg pain caused by a herniated disc, more commonly referred to as sciatica by patients, and most commonly referred to by doctors as a radiculopathy.

Lumbar laminectomy

Lumbar laminectomy (open decompression) is usually performed for pain of lumbar stenosis. The purpose of the surgery is to allow more space for the nerve root, thus reducing pain (and potentially weak legs or neurological symptoms) and restoring the patient's ability to participate in daily activities.

In addition to the above conditions, a variety of spinal lumbar spinal problems can cause nerve encroachment that can be treated by lumbar decompression surgery. These include conditions such as:

• A vertebral tumor (rarely)
• A synovial cyst or bone fracture with the filling of the marrow canal
• Spondylolisthesis isthmic or degenerative

Alternatives to microdiscectomy and laminectomy

While the above 2 procedures are considered the gold standard for surgical decompression of the spine, there are some variations and / or alternatives available to decompress the spine. For example:

• Interspinous procedure spacer a possible alternative to laminectomy, the purpose of spacing space surgery is to relieve symptoms of spinal stenosis with less invasive surgery.

• Laminotomy - This surgery is substantially the same as laminectomy, with the exception that a hole is made in the sheet (as opposed to the removal of the entire sheet).
• Corpectomy - The vertebral body can be removed through an anterior incision to decompress a canal. Surgery involves removing part of the vertebra to decompress or relieve pressure on the spinal cord and / or spinal nerves. This surgery is most often used in cervical surgery, although it is sometimes useful in the thoracic spine. It is rarely needed in the lumbar spine, except in cases of tumors or fractures.

In addition, new procedures are being developed. Patients are advised to look for new procedures carefully because less data are available on efficacy and long-term outcomes.