This procedure is performed through an incision on the lower back. The goal of a lumbar laminectomy, or open decompression, is to alleviate the pressure placed on the spinal cord or nerves by opening the spinal canal. This spine surgery may be recommended if you suffer from a herniated lumbar disc, spondylosis, or lumbar stenosis.
During a lumbar laminectomy, the lamina, the two broad plates that serve as the roof of your vertebral arch, are removed to make more space for your spinal nerves. Additionally, in some cases, the facet joints, located over your nerve roots, are also trimmed to create additional space in the spinal canal.
