Cervical laminaplasty involves an approach to the spine coming from the back of the neck. The surgeon strips the muscle off the spinal bones. A part of the bone called the spinous process may be removed. A partial thickness cut may be made through the lamina on one side of the spinal canal. A full thickness cut may be made on the other side. The spinal lamina is then carefully lifted off of the spinal cord, decompressing it. The lamina is prevented from closing back down by a bone spacer which is carefully placed. A tiny titanium plate and screws then fix the lamina to the bone spacer and the facet joint. The bones may then fuse back together. The technique allows multiple levels to be treated without losing motion of the joints.
