Microlaminoforaminotomy for Sciatica

Microlaminoforaminotomy is a keyhole spine surgical procedure conducted from the posterior spine to treat lateral disc herniation.  By using this technique, surgeons can retain the mobility of the section of vertebrae treated and minimize trauma to the muscles and ligaments of the lumbar spine.  The surgeon is also able to remove just a portion of the herniated disc, thereby maintaining some degree of cushioning between the vertebrae and reducing the patient’s risk of losing intervertebral height and suffering spinal curvature. This type of back surgery is often considered where patients are suffering from radicular pain, paraesthesias, sciatica pain, problems with motor skills, and loss of sensation, or numbness, due to disc bulging, or herniation, osteophyte growth, or ligament calcification and compression.


Operations are performed at a single level, and make use of specialized surgical instruments such as the burr to cut away a tiny portion of the lamina (often only around 3mm) and remove the compression material through this hole.  Most patients do not require a second surgery to correct spinal instability which may occur if a larger portion of the lamina is removed.  Recovery is often very short, with patients leaving hospital within the day and able to return to work relatively quickly.