Cervical Laminectomy Surgery

Most neck pain is due to degenerative changes that occur in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine and the joints between each vertebra. The vast majority of patients who have neck pain will not require any type of operation. However, in some cases degenerative changes in the cervical spine can lead to a very serious condition where there is too much pressure on the spinal cord. When this condition occurs, the entire spinal cord is in danger. One surgical option is to remove the pressure on the spinal cord by opening the spinal canal from the back to make the spinal canal larger. This procedure is called a laminectomy. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the neck are surrounded and protected by the cervical vertebrae. These bones have an opening called the spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes. Ligaments and blood vessels are also present in the spinal canal. The nerve roots start at the spinal cord and pass through an opening between the vertebrae called the intervertebral foramen (or neural foramen). From there, they extend to other parts of the body.

PREPARATION FOR Cervical laminectomy SURGERY:

EXAM BEFORE SURGERY

Before surgery, your doctor may ask you to see your primary care physician for a general exam with blood work. If you have a chronic condition such as heart problems, diabetes, or high blood pressure, be sure to advise your doctor. We may suggest seeing a local specialist here in Tyler while you are in the hospital.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY

• You will need to significantly reduce the amount of pain medications, or stop altogether, as your doctor recommends, in order to enhance the effectiveness of pain medications after surgery. If, however, you are taking Oxycontin, continue to take it until the day of surgery. (Do not take it the morning of surgery.)

• There are a number of medications that are important to monitor before surgery. Your doctor will discuss this with you. The major medicine that needs to be discontinued includes blood thinners such as Coumadin, Heparin, and any kind of aspirin containing product or anti-inflammatory medication which is labeled as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Daypro, and Naprosyn. These medications have been associated with an increased incidence for bleeding after surgery, and we recommend that the medication be discontinued for a period of 7 to 14 days prior to surgery. There is a new class of NSAIDS-- including Vioxx and Celebrex-- that may be taken until 2 days before surgery. (Stop taking these two days before your surgery date.) This will be discussed with the doctor who prescribes those medications.

• If you take herbs or alternative prescriptions, please advise your doctor. Some of these can cause odd interactions with common drugs.

• Your doctor will discuss the importance of stopping smoking. It will also be important not to smoke for at least 24 hours before surgery in preparation for anesthesia. This is important.

THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY

Eat or drink nothing after midnight - this includes food, water, coffee, chewing gum, etc. If you take a medication regularly, you may take it with a small sip of water

The Operation of cervical spine laminectomy:

To perform a cervical spine laminectomy, an incision is made down the center of the back of the neck. The muscles are then moved to the side. The arteries and nerves in the neck are protected as well.

Once the spine is reached from the back, each vertebra is identified. Your surgeon will probably take an X-ray during surgery to make sure that the right vertebrae are being selected and the correct lamina removed. Once this is determined, the lamina of the affected vertebrae is removed. Any bone spurs that are found sticking off the back of the vertebra are removed as well. Great care is taken to not damage the spinal cord and nerve roots.

In the cervical spine, removing the lamina completely may cause problems with the stability of the facet joints between each vertebra. If the joints are damaged during the laminectomy, the spine may begin to tilt forward causing problems later. One way that spine surgeons try to prevent this problem is not to actually remove the lamina. Instead, they simply cut one side of the lamina and fold it back slightly. The other side of the lamina opens like a hinge. This makes the spinal canal larger, giving the spinal cord more room. The cut area of the lamina eventually heals to keep the spine from tilting forward.

Why go to India for Cervial Laminectomy?

Over the years, India has become a global centre of excellence in spine surgery including the cervical Laminectomy surgery. India has achieved global recognition as a pioneer in innovative cervical Laminectomy surgery techniques to help patients who are often termed inoperable. These innovations have saved hundreds of lives across the globe. Besides the Best Spine Surgery Hospitals available in India what attracts thousands of patients is the wide variety of tourist options available that they can visit during their recuperation from the surgery.

India has a rich and unique cultural heritage, and has actively preserved its established traditions throughout history. The Taj Mahal in Agra is India's most popular tourist destination. You can visit all these places and just pay a quarter of the amount of what you would pay for the getting the surgery in USA.

Dheeraj Bojwani MD is an International Patient Consultant to foreign patients who want to travel to India for getting low cost medical treatment and surgery. More than 400 patients from across the globe have taken the benefits of his services till date.

Forerunners Healthcare Consultants is the premier most medical tourism company of India arranging medical and health tours for International Patients in India. More than 300 patients treated have been treated by Forerunners healthcare Consultants.