Spinal laminectomy in Türkiye

Spinal laminectomy is a type of surgery in which the surgeon removes part or all of the bony plate of the spinal column (lamina). This helps alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots that may be caused by injury, herniated disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), or spinal tumors.

Why might I need a spinal laminectomy?

Pain in the lower back or neck can range from mild and dull to continuous, severe, and debilitating. Spinal laminectomy may be performed to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves, treat a disc problem, or remove a tumor from the spine.

One common reason for a laminectomy is a herniated disc in the spine.

When a disc is displaced or damaged, it can press on the spinal nerves, causing pain and sometimes numbness or weakness. Numbness or weakness may be felt in the body part where the nerve is located, often the arms or legs.

One of the most common symptoms of a herniated disc is sciatica. This is sharp pain along the sciatic nerve, which extends from the buttocks down the back of the thigh.

If non-surgical treatments are no longer effective, surgery may be an option. Some medical treatments for pain may include:

Activity changes
Medications such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain relievers
Spinal injections
Physical rehabilitation or physical therapy, or both
Exercise therapy
Weight loss (in case of overweight)
Smoking cessation
Assistive devices, such as mechanical back braces

Spinal laminectomy is typically performed for back or neck pain that persists after medical treatment. It may also be necessary when pain is accompanied by signs of nerve damage, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. Loss of bowel or bladder control from pressure on the cervical or lumbar spine may also require surgery.

There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a spinal laminectomy.

How do I prepare for a spinal laminectomy?

Your doctor or medical consultant will explain the surgery to you and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the procedure.
You will be asked to sign a consent form granting permission for the surgery.
In addition to a complete medical history, the doctor may perform a physical examination to ensure you are in good health before undergoing this procedure. You may have blood tests or other diagnostic tests.
Inform the doctor if you are sensitive or have allergies to any medications.
Inform them about all prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements you are taking.
Tell the doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) or other medications that affect blood clotting. You may be asked to discontinue these medications before the procedure.
If you are pregnant or think you may be, inform the doctor.
Follow any instructions to refrain from eating or drinking before the surgery.
You may be given a sedative before the surgery to help you relax.
You may meet with a physical therapist before the surgery to discuss rehabilitation.
Some activities may be limited after the surgery. Arrange for someone to assist you with household activities and driving for a few days.
Depending on your health status, the doctor may have additional instructions for you.

What happens during a spinal disc removal surgery?

Spinal disc removal surgery typically requires a hospital stay. The procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.

Spinal disc removal surgery can be performed while you are asleep under general anesthesia or while you are awake under spinal anesthesia.

If spinal anesthesia is used, you won’t feel anything from your waist down. Advanced techniques have been developed that allow disc removal to be performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Your doctor will discuss this with you beforehand.

In general, the following steps are involved in spinal disc removal surgery:

You will be asked to remove your clothes and given a gown to wear.
A blood feed may be placed in your arm or hand for intravenous fluids.
Once you are under anesthesia, a urinary catheter may be inserted.
If the surgical site is covered with additional hair, it may be shaved.
You will be positioned either on your side or on your stomach on the operating table.
The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and oxygen level during the surgery.
Healthcare personnel will clean the skin at the surgical site with an antiseptic solution.
The surgeon will make an incision (cut) on the selected vertebra.
The surgeon will separate the muscles.
The surgeon will remove the bony arch of the back part of the vertebra (the disc) to relieve pressure on the nerves in the area. This may involve removing bone spurs or protrusions or removing the disc entirely or partially.
In some cases, spinal fusion may be performed at the same time. During spinal fusion, the surgeon will join two or more vertebrae in the spinal column.
The incision will be closed with stitches or surgical staples.
A dressing or sterile bandage will be applied.

What happens after spinal disc removal surgery?

In the hospital:

After the surgery, you will be transferred to a recovery room for monitoring. Once your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and alertness stabilize, you will be transferred to a hospital room. Spinal disc removal surgery typically requires a hospital stay of one day or more.

You will likely begin getting out of bed and walking on the evening of the surgery. Your pain will be managed with medications until you can engage in exercises. You may be given an exercise plan to follow while in the hospital and after discharge.

At home:

Once you are at home, it is important to keep the surgical incision clean and sterile. Your doctor will provide specific bathing instructions. The surgical staples or sutures will be removed during a follow-up appointment.

Take pain medication as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain pain medications can increase the risk of bleeding, so make sure to take only the prescribed medications.

Which complications require medical care?

Fever
Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other discharge from the incision site
Increased pain around the incision site
Numbness in your legs, back, or buttocks
Difficulty urinating or loss of bladder or bowel control

Avoid straining or exerting yourself until your doctor tells you it’s okay. Do not bend to pick up objects or stoop down.

Spinal disc removal surgery in Türkiye:

Türkiye is a regional medical hub for spinal surgeries, receiving patients from the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. It is known for its high success rates in these procedures.

The cost of spinal disc removal surgery in Türkiye depends largely on the condition of the herniated disc.

If you are interested in consulting doctors and requesting a price quote, we will ask you to send medical reports and a description of the case to REHABTÜRK doctors from here.Request a Free Consultation.