Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: C-Spine Multiple Laminectomy

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Spine


I'm 36 years old. I was diagnosed with Spondylosis - most of the problems on the left side. A surgeon performed laminectomy on the left side at C-4, C-5, C-6 and C-7. The spinous process on the left of C-7 was also removed.

I researched quite a bit and could not find information on laminectomy performed at multple levels of the C-Spine.

First, what limitations will I have as a result?

Will the muscles and ligaments pull the verterbrae closed at those levels, thereby creating greater cord compression?

Will I require additional surgery later in life?

Finally, is surgery of this magnitude common?

Many thanks for your help.
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Dear Lori,

The cervical spinal cord and nerve roots may be compressed by several elements in the area. Anteriorly, there can be disc material protruding in. Posteriorly, there can be excess ligamentum flavum that can buckle in on the cord. Postero-laterally, the facet joints can be hypertrophied and compress the cord or nerve roots. Some patients have these problems of compression at several levels.

In cases where there are several levels of concern on the MRI, a reasonable option is a cervical laminectomy. This simply removes the bone and ligament lying behind the spinal cord and decompresses the region. The procedure is relatively uncomplicated on the scale of things. There is little loss of motion after surgery.

One risk in the long run to patients after surgery is that they can develop a spondylolisthesis of one cervical vertebra on another. That is, one vertebral body can 'slip' forward on another. This would, in a small population of patients with cervical laminectomies, be an indication for a fusion procedure. Besides that, a cervical laminectomy is very well tolerated and carries a low incidence of complications.

Speak to your surgeon about your particular case for further detail in your situation.

Good luck.

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