Laminectomy and Excision of Tumour

1. What is Laminectomy and Tumour Excision?
It is a spinal surgical procedure in which part of the lamina is removed to access a tumour, followed by removal of all or part of the tumour depending on its location and relationship to critical neural structures.

2. When is this surgery recommended?
It may be recommended when a spinal tumour causes spinal cord or nerve compression, neurological symptoms, pain, spinal instability, or when tissue is required to establish a definitive diagnosis.

3. What types of spinal tumours can be treated?
Surgery may be used for selected intradural, extradural, or other spinal tumours. Tumours may be benign or malignant, and some may originate in the spine while others represent cancer that has spread from another part of the body.

4. How is the procedure performed?
The surgeon exposes the affected spinal level and removes the necessary portion of the lamina. The tumour is then carefully dissected and excised while attempting to preserve the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding structures.

5. What tests are required before surgery?
MRI of the spine with appropriate contrast is usually central to surgical planning. CT may be useful for assessing bone involvement, while additional imaging, biopsy, blood tests, and systemic cancer evaluation may be required depending on the suspected tumour.

6. Can the entire tumour always be removed?
Not always. Complete removal may not be safe when the tumour is closely attached to or infiltrates the spinal cord, nerve roots, blood vessels, or other critical structures. In such cases, partial removal or biopsy may be the safer approach.

7. Can spinal stabilization be performed during the same surgery?
Yes. If the tumour has weakened the vertebrae or extensive bone removal is expected to compromise spinal stability, spinal fusion and fixation using screws, rods, cages, or bone graft may be performed.

8. What is recovery like after surgery?
Recovery depends on the tumour location, extent of surgery, neurological condition, and whether spinal stabilization is required. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation may be necessary when weakness or other neurological deficits are present.

9. What are the possible risks?
Potential complications include bleeding, infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, spinal instability, recurrence, and injury to the spinal cord or nerve roots, which can result in weakness, sensory changes, bladder or bowel problems, or other neurological deficits.

10. How can Medavelle help?
Medavelle can coordinate evaluation with an experienced spine neurosurgeon and oncology team, arrange review of MRI/CT scans and pathology, obtain a personalized treatment estimate, and assist with hospital, travel, and rehabilitation arrangements in India.