Spine Procedures
Laminotomy, Laminectomy, Laminoplasty
The lamina is the arch of bone located on the back of the body of a vertebra. The spinal cord and/or nerves pass in the canal between the lamina and the body of the vertebra. Over time, bone and thickened ligament can form that cause the spinal canal to narrow, resulting in pain and other symptoms. There are three common ways to create space for the spinal cord: laminotomy - removal of part of the lamina; laminectomy - removal of the entire lamina; laminoplasty - vertical cuts along the length of the lamina, with insertion of a bone spacer to expand the arch of the lamina (sometimes a plate is also employed).