Minimally invasive spine surgery
Laminectomy and Discectomy
Laminectomy and discectomy are surgical procedures intended to treat compression of the nerve structures of the spine, especially in patients with herniated discs, spinal canal stenosis, or nerve root compression that produce pain, sensory disturbances, or neurological deficits.
The main objective of these techniques is to decompress the nerve roots and/or spinal cord, relieve pain, and improve neurological function and the patient’s quality of life.
Depending on the pathology and the anatomical characteristics of each case, both procedures can be performed in isolation or in combination.
What is a discectomy?
Discectomy involves the partial removal of herniated disc material that is compressing a nerve root or neural structures.
Herniated discs can cause lower back or neck pain radiating to the extremities, sciatica, cervicobrachialgia, tingling, muscle weakness, or significant functional limitation.
The procedure allows the elimination of nerve compression while preserving the normal anatomical structures of the spine as much as possible.
What is a laminectomy?
Laminectomy is a spinal decompression technique that involves the partial or complete resection of the vertebral lamina and associated compressive structures, with the aim of widening the spinal canal and releasing the nerve structures.
This technique is mainly used in cases of:
- Lumbar or cervical spinal stenosis
- Spinal cord compression
- Ligament hypertrophy
- Advanced facet joint osteoarthritis
- Multiple root compression
Laminectomy can be combined with other procedures such as discectomy, foraminotomy, or vertebral stabilization depending on the clinical situation.
The procedure is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and high-precision radiological or microscopic control.
Depending on the case, surgery can be performed using conventional techniques or minimally invasive and microsurgical approaches that reduce muscle injury and accelerate functional recovery.
Through small incisions and using specialized instruments, the spine is accessed to remove the structures responsible for nerve compression.
The goal is to achieve effective neural decompression while preserving as much vertebral stability and anatomy as possible.
Laminectomy and/or discectomy may be indicated in patients with:
- Lumbar or cervical disc herniation
- Persistent sciatica or cervicobrachialgia
- Spinal stenosis
- Neurogenic claudication
- Neurological deficit secondary to nerve compression
- Radicular pain refractory to conservative treatment
- Progressive spinal cord or nerve root compression
The surgical indication is individualized through specialized clinical assessment and correlation with advanced imaging studies.
Recovery and benefits
Recovery will depend on the type of procedure performed, the number of levels treated, and the individual characteristics of each patient.
The main advantages of these techniques include:
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Effective decompression of nerve structures
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Reduction of radicular and neurological pain
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Functional improvement and quality of life
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Possibility of minimally invasive techniques
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Anatomical preservation and vertebral stability in selected cases
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Progressive functional recovery
At VERTEBRA SpinePain & Regenerative SURGERY CENTERS we perform advanced spinal surgery techniques, microsurgery and image-guided neural decompression, offering highly specialized and personalized treatments for degenerative and compressive pathologies of the spine.