Laminotomies are common orthopedic and neurosurgical spinal procedures. A second opinion can be helpful in guiding a patient to make a correct decision.
Laminotomy involves removing a portion of one lamina and can be performed either with a conventional open technique or in a minimally invasive fashion using tubular retractors or endoscopes. Laminotomies involve freeing up a portion of the spinal sac and an individual nerve root. Laminotomies may be referred to as hemi-laminotomies implying only one-half of the lamina is removed or as a laminoforaminotomy combining not only removing a portion of the lamina but also cleaning out the foramen (the channel where the nerve root continues its descent). These are extremely common orthopedic and neurosurgical spinal procedures, but second opinions can be very helpful in guiding a patient to make a correct decision.