Cervical Stenosis Surgery: Posterior and Anterior Cervical Laminectomy
Expert Surgical Relief for Spinal Cord Compression by Dr. Rajesh Bindal – Sugar Land, TX
Cervical stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal in the neck becomes narrowed, placing pressure on the spinal cord and sometimes on the nerve roots. When cervical stenosis is primarily located at the back of the spinal canal, it may be best treated with a posterior cervical laminectomy. In some cases, an anterior cervical approach may also be used, depending on the location and severity of the compression.
At Texas Spine & Neurosurgery in Sugar Land, Dr. Rajesh Bindal, a board-certified neurosurgeon, offers both anterior and posterior cervical decompression procedures, including laminectomy, to safely relieve spinal cord pressure and restore neurological function.
What Is a Cervical Laminectomy?
A cervical laminectomy is a surgical procedure designed to relieve spinal cord compression by removing the lamina (the back portion of the vertebra) and the spinous process. This increases space in the spinal canal, allowing the spinal cord to shift backward and decompress.
The Procedure: Posterior Cervical Laminectomy
- Incision: An incision is made along the midline of the back of the neck.
- Exposure: The paraspinal muscles are gently elevated to expose the affected vertebral levels.
- Lamina Removal: Using a high-speed burr, a trough is created on each side of the lamina near the facet joints.
- Decompression: The lamina and spinous process are removed as a single piece—similar to lifting a lobster tail—relieving compression on the spinal cord.
- The spinal cord is then free to move backward into the newly created space, significantly reducing pressure.
Recovery After Cervical Laminectomy
- Pain Control: Postoperative pain is typically managed with IV medication initially, then transitioned to oral pain relievers.
- Hospital Stay: Most patients stay in the hospital for 2–3 days.
- Early Mobility: Patients are often encouraged to begin walking the same day as surgery or shortly thereafter.
- Neck Support:
- A soft cervical collar may be used for comfort if no fusion is performed.
- A firm cervical collar may be worn for up to 6 weeks in patients undergoing fusion alongside laminectomy.
Anterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion
In select cases, when spinal cord compression is located more anteriorly, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or other front-of-neck approaches may be more appropriate. Dr. Bindal will determine the safest and most effective surgical route based on imaging studies and the patient’s specific spinal anatomy.
Schedule a Cervical Stenosis Consultation in Sugar Land, TX
If you are experiencing symptoms such as neck pain, hand clumsiness, arm or leg weakness, gait changes, or numbness due to cervical spinal cord compression, prompt evaluation is essential.
Contact Dr. Rajesh Bindal at Texas Spine & Neurosurgery to discuss whether posterior or anterior cervical laminectomy is the right treatment for you.
Call 281-313-0031 today to schedule your consultation at our Sugar Land office, proudly serving Greater Houston and Fort Bend County.