Cervical Laminoplasty

[drkoo1030]

Found this procedure that immediately relieves pressure by creating more space for the spinal cord and roots. Here is a bit more information:

On Tuesday, September 11 at 11:30am EDT on www.OR-Live.com, world renowned orthopaedic surgeon Henry H. Bohlman, MD, will perform a cervical laminoplasty. For patients with painfully restricted spinal canals in their necks, this procedure immediately relieves pressure by creating more space for the spinal cord and roots.

[tmont]

Hi Drkoo,

Thanks for the link. Is he doing a split /skip laminectomy? These are supposedly minimally invasive compared to classical posterior approaches, which do a number on the muscles and require a longer incision.

Here's a PDF showing the procedure (warning: squeamish stomachs abstain) and some brief slides outlinig some of the advantages and main points:

http://www.worldspine.org/wsIII/ws3_69.pdf


Trace

[Terry]

Well that was about as appetizing as my cook's French Onion Soup was today .

Seriously, looks like an interesting procedure and, if helpful to the prescribed patient population, definitely worthwhile.

By the way I'm not squeamish having had a mother who was a nurse and being in the health care profession for over 30 years. Bring on the blood and guts!

Terry Newton

[Safety Engineer]

I am to see my orthopedic spine specialist next week to discuss a laminoplsty he recommended as an alternative to a 4 level cervical fusion . I have read about everything I could find on the topic in this forum and via web searches . But have not found anyone who has had a cervical laminoplasty.

My biggest concern is references to this only being a "temporary fix"
Has anyone have any new or updated information on this surgery ?

My Doctor does do one level ADR's but says I am not a candidate for a multi level ADR due to "ankylosis of the disc space".
He is regarded as one of the best orthopedic spine specialsit in the Midwest as many other orthopedic spine doctors have send their patients to him .

My pain has been relieved through the pain clinic and PT , but substantial arm weakness and burning in the fingers persist . My PT says I risk permanent nerve damage and arm weakness if I just try to "tough it out".
This is the 3rd time these cervical disc have flared up in the last 5 years .
The stenoisis is pretty severe at C5-C6 and C6-C7
My alternatives appear to be limited .
Thank you for any comments and opinions

[builder5840]

That is a really cool video, I'd love to see a similar video of an Cervical or even a Lumbar ADR surgery. if you know where one is could you let me know. Thanks for the link


Fall from ladder 05
Lots of pain DDD C5,6,7 many test
Scheduled two level March 09 Discover disc

[berry]

Hi there

Links to videos of lumbar and cervical are on this forum somewhere but here's the same links from the UK site (I can find them quicker)

Cervical disc replacement here:
http://z6.invisionfree.com/adrsuppor...?showtopic=279

Lumbar disc replacement here:
http://z6.invisionfree.com/adrsuppor...?showtopic=278

My 2-level cervical disc replacement recovery story here:
http://z6.invisionfree.com/adrsuppor...?showtopic=303

Photos of artificial cervical discs (Activ C) here:
http://z6.invisionfree.com/adrsuppor...?showtopic=449

Best wishes and good luck with your forthcoming surgery.

Lynda

[builder5840]

Lynda,

Thank you very much for the links. I like watching the surgery video's it gives me an idea of what to expect, why they are making the cuts horizontally in the skin but vertically through the muscle etc... good stuff!

Richard

[soljagirl]

i think i read somewhere that one of the disadvantages of laminoplasty was ongoing neck pain. just fyi.

[Safety Engineer]

After discussing "options" with my surgeon I am scheduled for a 4 level cervical laminosplasty Dec. 15th . It certainly looks like a much better option than a 4 level fusion ( it will retain 50 % of my neck movement)and a viable option for those of us who are not candidates for or do not want to pursue a 4 level cervical ADR ($$$) .
He said it is a permananet fix not a temporary fix. He offerred to go through the front but felt the results would be better if he went through the back of the neck - which will result in more recovering pain . He said an ADR at one level and a 3 level Laminosplasty is an acceptbale alternative but it would require 2 surgeries. I did not want two surgeries ( scarring issues) or two recoveries.

He said not many Dr.'s do these as few have been trained or are comfortable doing them. This orthopedic spine specialist trained under Dr.s at John Hopkins who performed these surgeries .He has done a number of them ,all successful to date . Other orthopedic spine surgeons in Iowa refer their complex cases to him and other medical professionals in central Iowa and former patients speak VERY highly of his work . Sooo.... I pulled the trigger !

I will let you all know about life on their other side after my surgery .
Just very surprised about the limited discussion/knowledge of this surgery on this forum . So I guess my experiance will further the cause for other candididates

[Safety Engineer]

It has been 3 weeks since I had my 4 level cervical laminoplasty
(C-3m to -C-7). So far recovery has been a success . I chose the most painful approach( through the back of the neck) which would give me better results and more flexibility than surgery through the front of the neck.
I was working part time from home 10 days after surgery and am now working fulltime at work. but still on a modrate amount of pain meds and skelaxtin.

It appears I do have considerable flexibility in my neck and hope to to increase it over time with physical therapy .
Priot to surgery my right arm strength was VERY weak. Arm strength returned immediately after surgery!!! Thus why I am calling this a success, so far.

A cervical laminoplasty is certainly a viable, and I believe a far superior altetrnative to cervical fusions. It is also an alternative to multi level ADR surgery when ADR surgery is not feasible($$$$)
I wil repost every month or so to let you know how the long term " healing " is progressing or any problems whcih may develop.

Apparently few Doctors perform this surgery as it is a very difficult surgery to perform.