Laminectomy is a type of spinal decompression surgery used to alleviate painful symptoms association with spinal stenosis, a degenerative spine condition. According to MayoClinic.com, during this procedure, a surgeon removes the lamina, a portion of bone that lies at the back of the vertebra. Lamina removal decreases uncomfortable spinal cord pressure, thereby alleviating spinal pain. Patients should talk with a doctor about the potential complications after laminectomy prior to surgery.
Spinal Nerve Damage
During laminectomy, a surgeon can accidentally injure or damage the nerves that run along the spinal cord, the Mayfield Clinic explains. Spinal nerve damage complications are serious and can lead to temporary or permanent problems, including numbness, tingling, weakness or paralysis throughout the body. Affected patients can experience difficulty moving about normally or may have trouble voluntarily controlling urination or bowel movement production. These complications after laminectomy are rare, but should be immediately reported to a medical professional if they occur.
Spinal Infection
Spinal surgeries, such as laminectomy, increase a patient's risk of developing infection complications. An infection can develop along the surgical incision site or within the bones that span the spinal cord, MedlinePlus warns. Patients who develop infection symptoms, such as fever or increasing back pain, should seek prompt medical care. Additional antibiotic medication may be necessary to resolve spinal infection complications after laminectomy.
Continued or Recurrent Back Pain
Unfortunately, laminectomy does not provide back pain relief for all patients. In certain cases, patients can experience continued back pain after undergoing this procedure, the University of Maryland Medical Center warns. Alternatively, patients may experience temporary relief from back pain, but can develop recurrent back pain several months after surgery. Such complications can be frustrating and disappointing to patients. A doctor may recommend that affected patients undergo additional surgery to address back pain symptoms.
Blood Clots, Bleeding or Infection
All surgical procedures elevate a patient's risk of blood clot, bleeding or infection complications, MedlinePlus reports. Blood clots are thick masses of blood that typically attach to the inside of blood vessels within the legs. These blood clots can be life-threatening if they travel to the lungs and interfere with blood flow to the lungs, heart or brain. Bleeding complications are rare and are typically resolved during surgery. Patients may also develop kidney, bladder or lung infections after laminectomy, which can contribute to urination or breathing complications. If symptoms of any of these complications arise, affected patients should contact a medical professional immediately.
