Foraminotomy: “Otomy” is the medical term for making an opening. This
procedure enlarges the opening of the intervertebral foramen so that the nerve
can exit without being compressed. If disc material or a bone spur is pressing on
a nerve as it exits through the foramen, a foraminotomy may be done.
Laminotomy: Similar to foraminotomy but involves making a hole in the
lamina to create more space for the spinal cord.
Laminectomy: “Ectomy” is the medical term meaning removal of.
Laminectomy means removal of the lamina (the arch of bone that forms the
spinal canal).
Facetectomy: Involves removal of the facet joint to reduce pressure on the
exiting nerve root.
Laminoplasty: “Plasty” means to shape an anatomical structure to restore
form or function. Laminoplasty refers to shaping the lamina surgically to create
more room for the spinal cord.Sometimes a surgeon must perform an anterior decompression. For example, if a disc
bulges into the spinal canal, it may be difficult to remove from behind because the spinal
cord is in the way. The main anterior decompression techniques are:
Discectomy: A discectomy involves removing the nucleus pulposus thus
relieving pressure on the nerve.
Corpectomy: Occasionally disc material becomes lodged between the vertebral
body and the spinal cord, and cannot be removed by a discectomy alone. In other
cases, bone spurs form between the vertebral body and spinal cord. In these
situations, the entire vertebral body may need to be removed to gain access to the
disc material. This procedure is called a corpectomy (corpus means body).Spinal Stabilization
All the “Ectomies” result in an unstable spine. There is thus a serious risk of dislocation
of the spine leading to injury of the spinal cord or nerves. In these situations, the spine is
often surgically restabilized. The main stabilization techniques are: