What Happens During a Lumbar Laminotomy?

Here’s a step-by-step overview of the procedure:

Preparation

• Hospital Admission: You will be admitted on the day of surgery and required to fast as per your anaesthetist’s instructions.
• Anaesthesia: General anesthesia is administered so you are asleep and pain-free during the procedure. A urinary catheter may be inserted if the surgery is expected to be lengthy, and antibiotics are given to reduce infection risk.

Positioning and Incision

• Positioning: You will be positioned face down on the operating table with your abdomen supported to maintain the natural curve of your spine. This facilitates optimal access for the surgeon.
• Small Incision: Prof Aaron Buckland makes a small incision (usually 1 to 1.5 inches long) in the lower back directly over the affected disc level.

Accessing the Spine

• Muscle Retraction: Specialized instruments are used to gently retract the back muscles without cutting them—minimizing tissue damage and promoting quicker recovery.

Removal of Bone (Laminotomy)

• The lamina (the bone covering the nerve) and the underlying ligament are carefully removed to create space and relieve nerve pressure.
• Prof Aaron Buckland uses specialized instruments and high magnification to ensure accuracy and optimal decompression.
• In some cases, bone spurs or cysts contributing to the compression may also be trimmed or removed.

Closing the Incision

Once the nerve is fully decompressed, the instruments are withdrawn, and the muscles are allowed to return to their normal position. The incision is then closed with dissolvable sutures and a sterile bandage is applied.

Recovery Room

• After the surgery, you are taken to a recovery room where you are monitored as you wake from anesthesia.
• Pain relief is managed and you may be asked to walk a short distance to begin your recovery.