This procedure involves making an incision down the centre of the back and removing some or all of the bony arch (lamina) off a vertebra.

In a laminectomy, all or most of the lamina is surgically removed.

 

By making more room in the spinal canal, this procedure reduces pressure on the spinal nerves. It also gives the surgeon better access to the disc and other parts of the spine if further procedures e.g. spinal cord detethering, removal of tumour, are required.