Procedure · Lumbar spine
Laminectomy / Laminotomy
Creates more room for compressed nerves by removing a limited (laminotomy) or broader (laminectomy) portion of the lamina — the bony roof over the spinal canal.
What it is
The lamina is the bony roof of the spinal canal. In a laminotomy, Dr. Choi removes a limited window of bone to access and relieve a specific area of compression. In a laminectomy, a broader section is removed — most commonly in the lumbar spine to treat stenosis, or in the cervical spine where a cervical laminectomy creates room for the spinal cord.
Both preserve motion: unlike fusion, decompression alone does not join vertebrae together. Depending on alignment and stability, a laminectomy may be performed alone or with fusion.
When it may be considered
These decompression procedures are commonly considered for symptomatic stenosis — leg heaviness, walking limits, or nerve symptoms — when nonoperative measures have not provided enough relief. The extent of decompression and whether decompression alone is appropriate depend on stability, alignment, deformity, and the exact location of nerve compression.
What to discuss at consultation
- Goals: create durable room for the nerves or spinal cord while preserving stability and motion.
- Alternatives: nonoperative care, injections, or — when instability or deformity is present — decompression with fusion (TLIF / PLIF) or other decompression techniques.
- Recovery: generally no brace after lumbar laminectomy or laminotomy; early mobility is encouraged.
- Risks: incomplete relief, instability if too much bone is removed, and the individual risks of surgery.
Initial consultation or second opinion?
Bring your imaging and your questions. Dr. Choi will review your diagnosis, walk through your options, and tell you plainly whether surgery is the right next step — and if not, what is.