How does the Laminotomy procedure differ from a Laminectomy?

At Laser Spine Institute, we use an endoscopic approach to open up the spinal canal for laminotomies, which does not require general anesthesia. A laminotomy is a surgical procedure that relieves pressure on the spinal canal for the exiting spinal cord and nerve root. This increases the amount of available space for the neural tissue and thus releases the nerve(s). The term laminotomy comes from the Latin lamina (bony plate that covers the posterior arch of the vertebra) and -otomy (act of cutting, incision). A different surgical procedure called a laminectomy is used in traditional open back surgeries, which Laser Spine Institute does not perform. This procedure involves removing the lamina to increase the amount of available space for the neural tissue. The term laminectomy refers to the Latin lamina (thin place, sheet, or layer), and -ectomy (removal).