Decompressive laminectomy is a procedure used to relieve pressure on the spinal column. Increased pressure on the spinal cord can be caused by several factors including a herniated spinal disc or spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal column caused by enlargement of the vertebrae. The procedure involves an incision in the back followed by removal of the lamina, the part of the vertebrae that covers the back side of the spine. A laminectomy is a relatively invasive procedure, according to SpinalStenosis.org., and carries the risk of several complications.
General Surgical Risks
Every surgical procedure has the potential to cause complications, explains the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons One risk is an infection at the incision site. Any time the skin is broken, there is a risk of microorganisms invading the body and causing an infection. The anesthesia used to render patients unconscious for the procedure also carries risks of an allergic reaction, heart attack, pneumonia or urinary tract infection, the Texas Spine and Joint Hospital reports. Blot clots, particularly in the legs, pose another risk. In rare cases, blood clots can break away from the legs and travel to the lungs or head, causing a pulmonary embolism or stroke. Severe bleeding or hemorrhage is also a risk of any type of surgery.
Nerve Damage
Damage to the nerves running through the spinal cord is a serious complication that may result from a decompressive laminectomy. This surgery to remove the lamina and widen the spinal canal involves cutting and manipulating tissues very close to the spinal nerves, creating the risk of accidental damage to the nerves. Damage to the spinal nerves can result in chronic pain, numbness or even paralysis, in rare cases, explains the Mayfield Clinic. In some cases, damage to the spinal nerves can cause difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels, leading to incontinence, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dural Tear
Another possible complication of decompressive laminectomy is a tear in the dural sack, the outer lining of the membrane covering the spinal cord. A tear in the dural sack can cause cerebrospinal fluid to leak out of the spinal cord into surrounding tissues, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains. A fluid leak caused by a dural tear can often be treated by bed rest for a day.
Spinal Instability
Because a decompressive laminectomy removes a section of bone from the spine, instability of the spine is one risk of the procedure, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The risk of instability is worse if a part of the vertebral joint called the pars interarticularis is damaged during the surgery. In some cases, fusion of the operated vertebrae with adjacent vertebrae may be necessary to improve stability.
