Overview
A laminectomy is a type of back surgery also known as decompression. The vertebras, or bumpy portions of the spine, are covered by lamina. This lamina helps to protect the spinal column and the cord canal and offers support for nerves branching out from the spinal cord to other parts of the body.

Back injury, inflammation, swelling or other conditions involving the bony processes of the spinal column place pressure against the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, or immobility in certain areas of the body. A laminectomy is a procedure that removes a portion of this covering from the spinal column, giving the bones more room, as well as relieving pressure on the spinal cord or its nerves.

Who Benefits From a Laminectomy?   
Anyone diagnosed with a herniated or slipped disc may benefit from a laminectomy. The procedure relieves pressure thereby reducing pain and complications caused by pinched nerves.  Laminectomy procedures are often performed on individuals diagnosed with spinal stenosis as well as herniated discs, sciatica and other conditions that affect movement and mobility.

Laminectomy Procedure Details
For a laminectomy procedure, you'll be placed under general anesthetic. This means you'll be asleep and won't feel anything during the surgical procedure. During the surgery, your overall condition will be monitored by members of the surgical team. You'll be placed on your stomach for most types of laminectomy surgery, but exact positioning will be determined by your surgeon.

An incision will be made in the back over the spinal column in the area affected. A laminectomy may be performed on the cervical, thoracic or lumbar portions of the spine. The size of the incision will be determined by your surgeon by the number of vertebrate affected and the type of procedure you're undergoing.

Your surgeon will insert small instruments that will be utilized to scrape or remove portions of the lamina that cover the vertebrae. If the surgery is performed because you've already been diagnosed with a herniated disc, the surgeon will also remove broken pieces of or the entire disc, and replace it with a prosthetic.

In the case of spinal stenosis, your surgeon may perform spinal fusion, or adhering one vertebra to another using screws, metal rods or bone grafts to help stabilize and support your spinal column.

Today, most laminectomy procedures are performed laparoscopically. This means you'll have smaller incisions and reduced healing time. A laparoscope is an instrument shaped like a long metal straw. A camera is attached to one end that enables the surgeon to view the operating field underneath the skin using a monitor or computer screen in the operating room. Additional surgical instruments will also be utilized through small incisions to complete the procedure.

Following the removal of adequate amounts of lamina, the surgeon will irrigate the surgical field and then close the incision with stitches or staples.
 
You'll be taken back to your room to recover.
Following surgery, you may be required to stay in the hospital for up to three days, and a physical therapist will talk to you about post-surgical movements and exercise. In most cases, you can resume gentle exercises within 4 to 6 weeks, but you may be cautioned against resuming normal activities for up to three months.

How Much Does a Laminectomy Cost?
Cost of laparoscopic laminectomy procedures will depend on location and approach. In the United States, any type of spine surgery is quite expensive. In the U.S. for example, a lumbar laminectomy may cost approximately $25,000, including a hospital stay and the surgeon's fees and the anesthesia fees. The fee for the operating room itself may go as high as $15,000. The average cost of the laminectomy itself is roughly $8,000. An individual traveling to India may spend approximately $4,500 on laminectomy while a patient traveling to Thailand will spend approximately $6,000. 

Who Performs Laminectomy Procedures?
A laminectomy procedure is generally performed by an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine care or neurosurgeon as well as a vascular or general surgeon trained in laparoscopic procedures. Surgeons should be chosen according to their expertise and experience in related fields. Physicians and surgeons should be certified in their field, and show membership in national or regional boards or associations in his or her country of origin. Consumers are encouraged to get more than one opinion before engaging in any type of spinal surgery, as well as making sure that facilities, surgeons, and healthcare staff are accredited by international associations and organizations to ensure quality of equipment, technology, as well as quality of care by medical staff.