Neck surgery is a common procedure usually performed when you suffer from intense neck pain that limits your head movement. Neck surgery is necessary when you suffer from severe arthritis of the neck and deformities in your spine. These conditions can wreak havoc on your life as this can prevent you from driving and taking part in everyday activities. Sometimes, neck surgery is necessary when you have cancer. There are a variety of neck surgeries available to treat your neck conditions.
Fusion Surgery
Fusion surgery is meant to stabilize your neck and provide pain relief, according to St. Vincent's Charity Hospital. This surgery involves removing the fatty tissue in between your back bones called disks. Your surgeon will then replace these disks with bones from other parts of your body. This permanently fuses 2 or more of your vertebrae (back bones). In some instances, your surgeon may decide to utilize such materials as rods, screws or plates to provide added stability.
Laminectomy
A laminectomy is commonly performed when you suffer from spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis refers to a condition where certain areas of your spine narrow and cause neck pain and numbness. A laminectomy, also called decompression surgery, refers to a procedure where your surgeon removes removes lamina (portion of your back bone that covers your spine), says the Mayo Clinic. This serves to relieve any pressure and create more room for your surgeon to remove a herniated (protruding) disk.
Disketomy
A disketomy is similar to a laminectomy. However, your surgeon will remove part of your disk to relieve pressure on your neck, says St. Vincent's Charity Hospital.
Neck Dissection
A neck dissection is indicated in certain types of metastatic (spreading) cancers, according to Georgetown University Hospital. Your surgeon will remove your lymph nodes (structures similar to blood vessels that can carry cancer cells) and parts of your neck tissue. A radical neck dissection involves removing lymph nodes on the lateral (towards the side) side of your neck and a majority of your neck tissue. A modified neck dissection is less extensive than a radical neck dissection and a selective neck dissection keeps specific structures in your neck such as your sternocleidomastoid muscle (allows you to bend and turn your head), your jugular vein (carries blood to your body) and your spinal accessory nerve (allows you to shrug your shoulders) while removing other structures. The removal of certain tissues from your neck is dependent upon the extent of your cancer.
