Pediatric Laminectomy

What is a pediatric laminectomy?
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure to open the area around the spinal cord and nerve roots. The area is opened so a surgeon can remove spine tumors, relieve pressure on spinal nerves or correct tethered cord syndrome.

How is a pediatric laminectomy performed?
Once your child is asleep under anesthesia, the surgeon will make an incision in his or her back. The muscle will then be cut and pulled back. Then, bony layers of the spinal cord (the lamina) will be removed to expose the spinal cord and nerves.

Who can benefit from a laminectomy?
The multi-disciplinary spine team at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center can perform an extensive evaluation to determine whether your child can benefit from surgical procedures that involve laminectomy.

What's recovery like?
Recovery will vary depending on the extent of your child's surgical procedure(s). Following surgery that includes a laminectomy, your child will most likely spend several days in the hospital.

Why Le Bonheaur Children's?
The spine surgeons at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center are some of the most well respected pediatric surgeons in the United States. The hospital's spine program is dedicated to the treatment and research of pediatric spinal conditions. Children from across the country visit Le Bonheur each year for treatment.