Laminectomy

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About the Surgery

What is a Laminectomy?

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A surgical procedure that removes a piece of bone from your spine called the lamina to have access to the spinal cord:

Some examples of reasons to have a laminectomy are:

  • Spinal cord tumor
  • Chairi malformation
  • Tethered spinal cord
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Day of the Surgery

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  • Your surgical team will be with you every step of the way
  • You will be in the ICU after your surgery
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After the Surgery

What is the post-op home care for a Laminectomy?

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Incision Care

  • Wash incision daily with mild shampoo/soap and water (application of antibiotic ointment not necessary unless instructed by Neurosurgery team)
  • You may scrub incision lightly to help prevent scab formation
  • No beach/pool ( 1st month after surgery) or  until cleared by Neurosurgery team
  • Avoid direct sunlight on incision
  • Do not scratch incision
  • Avoid stool or urine to get on the incision, frequent diaper changes for none- potty trained children may be necessary

Activity

  • Keep activity level  light until you are seen in clinic
  • No heavy lifting, No exercise
  • May not return to school until cleared by Neurosurgery team
  • No participation in Physical Education for 1 month or until cleared by Neurosurgery team

Pain control

  • You may take over the counter medications, which include:
    • Acetaminophen every 4 hours or
    • Ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed
    • These medications can be alternated

Follow-up Office Visit

  • You will be seen in Neurosurgery office approximately 10-14 days after leaving the hospital for physical evaluation and wound check.
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When to call the office

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  • Fever greater than 101.5°F oral or axillary
  • Headaches not relieved with pain medication
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Increasing fluid around incision site
  • Increased swelling, redness around incision site
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Resources

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For more information about the neurosurgery services, please visit us at Pediatric Neurosurgery

Questions or Concerns?

Call us @ 305-662-8386
 

This page was last updated on: January 29, 2019 03:21 PM

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