According to MedlinePlus, a lumbar laminectomy is a surgery that may be required to remove the laminae, which are two small bones that make up a vertebra. This procedure is commonly used to treat spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal. A laminectomy can take pressure off the spinal nerves or spinal column and result in a dramatic relief in symptoms. Although this procedure may be beneficial in relieving back pain, risks are associated with laminectomy surgery.
Infection
MedlinePlus states that infection is a risk of laminectomy surgery. An infection can occur at the surgical wound site, in the skin or in the surrounding bones in the spinal column. This occurs because bacteria that may remain on the patient's skin, surgeons or surgical tools may enter the wound side, reproduce and cause an infection. Signs of a local infection include excessive pain, swelling and a foul odorous drainage from the surgical wound site after laminectomy surgery. In more severe cases, the infection may spread to the rest of the body and cause fever, chills and night sweats. A systemic infection is a medical emergency that may result in death if left untreated. Therefore, prompt recognition of an infection after a lumbar laminectomy surgery is necessary to prevent this serious complication.
Nerve Injury
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, nerve damage is a potential complication of lumbar laminectomy surgery. Nerve damage can occur from cutting small nerves in the back that are responsible for sensation in the skin in the lumbar area or in the muscles of the lumbar area; minimal nerve damage may result in numbness over the surgical site. In more severe cases, serious nerve damage can occur from cutting larger spinal nerves that exit the spinal column, resulting in lower leg weakness, lower leg numbness, lower leg burning and tingling sensations, or more serious complications, such as bowel or bladder incontinence. Patients should immediately let the surgeon know if they are experiencing numbness over the surgical site, or more important, if they are experiencing numbness or leg weakness after the surgery. An additional surgery may be required to repair the damaged nerves.
Failure of Rods or Screws
The rods and screws used during a lumbar laminectomy may fail after the surgery, states the AAOS. Loosening of rods and screws typically occurs in older patients because of decreased bone density; however, failure of rods and screws can also occur in younger patients. Failure of surgical hardware can result in excessive pain, swelling and a return of previous symptoms and may require an additional surgery. Therefore, patients should not hesitate to tell a doctor if they are experiencing complications such as excessive pain immediately after or many years after lumbar laminectomy surgery.
