Thoracic Hemilaminectomy

Understanding Spine Structure

Spinal bones, called vertebrae, have a unique structure. Each one is shaped like a bony ring surrounding a hollow opening. This opening, called the spinal canal, provides a path for the spinal cord while keeping it protected on all sides. However, certain spinal conditions can narrow the spinal canal. With less space surrounding it, the spinal cord becomes impinged, resulting in nerve damage and pain.

What Is Thoracic Hemilaminectomy?

Thoracic hemilaminectomy is a surgical procedure performed to widen the spinal canal. It can be thought of as a partial laminectomy. The procedure removes part of the lamina, or the back portion of a vertebra. This creates additional space around the spinal cord to relieve impingement.

What Does Thoracic Hemilaminectomy Treat?

Thoracic hemilaminectomy is most often used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. In other cases, surgeons may use it to access a hard-to-reach spinal structure. The removed lamina gives the surgeon extra room to work. These functions make hemilaminectomy effective in treating:

• Thoracic stenosis
• Thoracic herniated disc
• Thoracic slipped disc
• Thoracic degenerative disc disease
• Thoracic myelopathy
• Thoracic radiculopathy
• Thoracic spinal cord injury

Surgery is not the first line of defense against back pain. Instead, most treatment plans begin with conservative methods like rest, physical therapy, and medication. If upper back pain does not get better, then physicians may discuss more aggressive options. Surgery is most often recommended for patients whose pain interferes with everyday life and does not respond to conservative treatment.

Who Performs Thoracic Hemilaminectomy at NU-Spine?

Treatments at NU-Spine are provided by Branko Skovrlj, MD. Dr. Skovrlj is a board-certified neurosurgeon and one of the only neurosurgeons in New Jersey to focus solely on spine treatments. His expertise covers a wide range of procedures. His special interest, however, is in complex and minimally invasive spine surgeries. He regularly contributes to research to make these procedures more reliable and more widely available, and he has earned multiple awards for his work.

Even though Dr. Skovrlj is renowned for his work, he holds onto the values he started with. He understands that thoracic spine pain is a difficult subject, which is why he tries to stay approachable. Patients find it easy to discuss their pain with him to find the best solution.

How Is Thoracic Hemilaminectomy Performed?

Thoracic hemilaminectomy is performed at one of NU-Spine’s state-of-the-art facilities. It is performed under anesthesia, so patients are asleep during the procedure. After the anesthesia takes effect, Dr. Skovrlj completes the procedure with the following steps:

1. He makes a tiny incision on the upper back near the problem area.
2. The surgeon uses surgical dilators to gently move soft tissue aside, exposing the section of spine to be operated upon.
3. Using precise tools guided by an endoscopic camera, Dr. Skovrlj carefully cuts away bone from the lamina.
4. The surgeon may perform a thoracic discectomy to remove a damaged spinal disc. If so, a thoracic spinal fusion may follow to stabilize the spine.
5. He closes the incision with sutures (stitches).

Once Dr. Skovrlj is finished, the patient is taken to a recovery room. NU-Spine staff monitors the patient until they wake up to prevent complications. Once awake, many patients can go home the same day. If the patient needed a discectomy or spinal fusion, however, they may need to stay a night at the hospital to ensure a successful recovery.

Recovery After Thoracic Hemilaminectomy

NU-Spine releases the patient when we are confident that they are ready to recover at home. At this point, Dr. Skovrlj provides instructions to avoid infection and help the body heal. Patients should ask questions to make sure they understand his guidance, which may include:

• Keeping incision sites clean and protected
• Limiting household chores and other strenuous activities
• Walking a little bit every day to encourage blood flow
• Avoiding long periods of sitting down
• Taking medications to reduce pain
• Watching incision sites for signs of infection
• Scheduling follow-up appointments with Dr. Skovrlj

Most patients can resume light activities like driving or doing chores after just a few weeks. Once the incision site has closed and the patient can handle non-strenuous work, physical therapy will begin. This phase of rehabilitation is focused on rebuilding strength and mobility in the spine. Full recovery times depend on the individual, but most patients are ready for normal activities after four to six weeks.

Outcomes of Thoracic Hemilaminectomy

As with any other operation, thoracic hemilaminectomy comes with some post-surgical pain. This pain gets better as the surgery site heals. Pain from the thoracic spine condition, however, is eliminated after surgery. Patients do not experience any more nerve pain and can go back to their favorite activities. They enjoy better sleep, improved moods, and less reliance on medications.

Hemilaminectomy is minimally invasive. This means that it is performed with advanced tools and techniques through the smallest incision possible. By reducing the amount of cutting required, minimally invasive methods reduce surgical stress for the following benefits:

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

In short, minimally invasive procedures allow for a faster, easier recovery.

Find Upper Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

If you are struggling with upper back pain, now is the time to transform your life with a touch of care. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute is led by a world-renowned neurosurgeon who offers cutting-edge treatments, including thoracic hemilaminectomy, to help patients get back to pain-free living. Contact us to learn more or to make an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thoracic Hemilaminectomy

What is thoracic hemilaminectomy surgery?

Thoracic hemilaminectomy is a minimally invasive version of thoracic laminectomy. During the procedure, the surgeon removes parts of the back part of a vertebra – called the lamina – to reduce pressure on the spinal cord. The procedure is used to treat upper back nerve pain.

Who is a good candidate for thoracic hemilaminectomy?

Patients may be candidates for hemilaminectomy surgery if they struggle with severe upper back pain or if their pain does not respond to conservative treatment methods.

What conditions does thoracic hemilaminectomy treat?

A thoracic hemilaminectomy can help treat thoracic stenosis, thoracic herniated or slipped disc, degenerative disc disease, myelopathy, radiculopathy, and more.