What Is Laminectomy & Fusion?
Cervical laminectomy and fusion combines decompression — removing the lamina to create more room for the spinal cord — with an instrumented fusion using screws and rods placed through the back of the neck. It's the preferred approach for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy when the neck has kyphotic (forward-leaning) alignment or existing instability, situations where laminoplasty alone isn't a durable solution.
Who It's For
This procedure is typically recommended for multilevel myelopathy with kyphotic or unstable cervical alignment, significant neck pain accompanying nerve compression, or in revision surgery after a prior cervical procedure. It provides more definitive stabilization than laminoplasty at the cost of motion at the fused levels.
How the Procedure Is Performed
Through a posterior midline incision, the lamina is removed at the affected levels to decompress the spinal cord. Lateral mass or pedicle screws are then placed into the vertebrae and connected with rods to realign and stabilize the spine, and bone graft is added along the instrumented segment to promote a solid fusion over time.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Hospital stays typically run two to four days. A cervical collar may be used for comfort in the initial weeks, and activity is gradually increased under the guidance of physical therapy. The fusion matures over roughly six to twelve months, during which follow-up imaging confirms healing progress.