Cervical Hemilaminectomy

Understanding Spine Structure

The bones in the spine are known as vertebrae. Each one has a ring-like structure with an empty space at the center, called the spinal canal, allowing the spinal cord to pass through. The lamina is the back section of the spinal canal. It provides support to the spinal cord. In some cases, however, the spinal canal may not be wide enough to accommodate the spinal cord. This creates pressure on the nerves, resulting in potentially painful symptoms.

What Is Cervical Hemilaminectomy?

Cervical hemilaminectomy is a surgery that widens the spinal canal in the cervical or neck region. It involves removing strategic parts of the lamina to create space around the spinal cord. The prefix “hemi” means half. Hemilaminectomy, therefore, can be thought of as a half or partial laminectomy.

What Does Cervical Hemilaminectomy Treat?

A hemilaminectomy may be recommended for a variety of reasons. The procedure is often used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. It may also be used to access a difficult-to-reach part of the spine, giving the surgeon extra room to work. These two functions make it an effective treatment for conditions such as:

• Cervical stenosis
• Cervical herniated disc
• Cervical slipped or bulging disc
• Cervical degenerative disc disease
• Cervical myelopathy
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Cervical spinal cord injury

Neck pain treatment does not typically begin with surgery. In most cases, NU-Spine begins with conservative methods, including rest, physical therapy, prescription or over-the-counter pain relief medications, or a supportive brace. If the pain does not go away, however, surgery may be considered as a permanent solution. Patients who are struggling with treatment-resistant neck pain should speak with a physician about whether surgery is the right next step.

Who Performs Cervical Hemilaminectomy at NU-Spine?

At NU-Spine, all surgical procedures are performed by our resident neurosurgeon, Branko Skovrlj, MD. He is one of the only neurosurgeons in New Jersey to focus solely on spine treatments. He has a special interest in minimally invasive procedures, including cervical hemilaminectomy, which deliver more reliable results and an easier recovery than open surgery. He contributes to medical research with the aim of improving spine surgeries and has earned multiple awards for his work.

Though Dr. Skovrlj is known around the world, he remains a small-town physician at heart. He treats his patients with compassion and a down-to-earth demeanor. This makes him approachable, helping patients open up about their struggles with back and neck pain.

How Is Cervical Hemilaminectomy Done?

Cervical hemilaminectomy is performed at NU-Spine’s state-of-the-art facilities in New Jersey. Our locations are equipped with the latest medical technologies, helping Dr. Skovrlj work with precision. Like a standard laminectomy, hemilaminectomy is performed under anesthesia. This means the patient sleeps through surgery. Once the patient is unconscious, Dr. Skovrlj performs the following:

• He makes a tiny incision on the side or back of the neck
• Using specialized instruments called surgical dilators, he gently pushes aside muscle and tissue to expose the painful part of the spine
• He carefully cuts and removes parts of the lamina
• If necessary, he uses the new opening in the lamina to perform a cervical discectomy or cervical microdiscectomy to remove a damaged spinal disc
• He closes the incision and protects it with a surgical dressing

Afterward, the patient is taken to a recovery room. Trained medical staff monitor their vital signs while they wake up from anesthesia. The length of hospital stay depends on the extent of the surgery and whether any additional procedures, such as discectomy or cervical spinal fusion, were required. Some patients can go home the same day, while others may need to stay overnight.

Recovery After Cervical Hemilaminectomy

Once the patient is ready to go home, Dr. Skovrlj provides instructions for a safe recovery. Patients are encouraged to follow his guidance as carefully as possible to prevent complications. Dr. Skovrlj will answer questions to help patients understand instructions, which may include:

• Protecting incisions with dressings and while bathing
• Limiting strenuous activities, including household chores
• Walking daily to encourage blood flow
• Avoiding sitting down for long periods
• Taking medications to manage post-surgical pain
• Watching for fever, swelling, and other signs of infection
• Scheduling follow-up appointments with Dr. Skovrlj

Dr. Skovrlj also provides guidance for returning to normal activities. Most patients can resume light activities like driving, chores, and non-strenuous work after a few weeks. At this point, physical therapy begins. This stage of recovery focuses on rebuilding strength, flexibility, and stability around the surgery area. Depending on the individual, a full recovery takes between four to six weeks.

Outcomes of Cervical Hemilaminectomy

For most patients, cervical hemilaminectomy is followed by immediate and significant relief. By removing pressure from around the spinal cord, surgery eliminates the cause of pain. Once the patient has recovered, they can return to the activities they enjoyed before the pain began. Many individuals enjoy improved sleep, better moods, and reduced reliance on pain medications.

Cervical hemilaminectomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery. This means it uses specialized tools, such as dilators and an endoscopic camera, to work through a smaller incision. Minimally invasive procedures cause less physical stress, providing a variety of benefits:

• Shorter hospital stays
• Less post-surgical bleeding
• Less risk of infection or complications
• Higher surgical success rates
• Faster overall recovery

By prioritizing minimally invasive methods like hemilaminectomy, NU-Spine delivers faster results with less pain.

Find Neck Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

If you are struggling with chronic neck pain, do not hesitate to transform your life with a touch of care. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute specializes in minimally invasive spine treatments like cervical hemilaminectomy to help patients find relief. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cervical Hemilaminectomy

What is cervical hemilaminectomy?

A cervical hemilaminectomy is a less-invasive form of a cervical laminectomy. The procedure involves removing parts of the lamina, or the posterior (back) section of the vertebra, to relieve pressure around the spinal cord. It targets pain in the cervical spine, or neck.

When is a cervical hemilaminectomy recommended?

A cervical hemilaminectomy treats a variety of conditions that cause spinal cord or nerve compression. It may also be used to access a damaged spinal disc that is otherwise difficult to reach.

Who is a candidate for a cervical hemilaminectomy?

Patients are candidates for hemilaminectomy surgery if they have severe neck pain that interferes with their quality of life or if neck pain does not respond to conservative treatments.

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses advanced tools to work through a smaller incision than is required for open surgery. It delivers faster results with less post-surgical pain, bleeding, or infection risk.