Laminectomy is a commonly performed procedure to treat spinal stenosis . The procedure involves resection of the spinous process, lamina, and mesial (most midline portion) facet joints. In addition, foraminotomy is also performed if required, a diskectomy can be simultaneously done to treat a disc herniation. Laminectomy can also be done when spine tumors need to be removed. Although an excellent procedure to treatment of certain disorders, laminectomy does carry a risk of facet injury and spinal instability.
Bone spurs (ie: spinal stenosis) can be removed by doing a laminotomy and foraminotomy. This involves resection of the medial lamina and the facet joint.
Fusion of the thoracic can be performed posteriorly or laterally through the chest.
Corpectomy involves resection of the vertebral body. Usuall a thoracotomy (Chest cavity opening) is required to perform a corpectomy. Rarely, a corpectomy can be performed via a posterior approach.
Certain disc herniations in the thoracic spine (especially those herniations that are centrally located) can be removed through an endoscopic approach. Typically, three endoscopic ports are inserted into the chest to remove the disc herniation. A camera is placed through the ports to visualize into the chest.
Thoracic disc herniations that are located laterally can be removed from a posterior approach.