🧠 Decompression
Decompression refers to:
A surgical or non-surgical intervention aimed at relieving pressure on neural structures—such as the spinal cord, cauda equina, or nerve roots—by removing or reducing the source of compression.
🔍 Indications in Spine Surgery
Decompression is commonly performed to address:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Cervical or thoracic myelopathy
- Herniated discs with radiculopathy
- Epidural hematoma or abscess
- Tumors causing mass effect
🛠️ Common Decompression Techniques
| Procedure | Target Structure | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Laminectomy | Spinal cord / cauda equina | Posterior |
| Discectomy | Nerve root | Posterolateral or anterior |
| Foraminotomy | Exiting nerve root | Posterior |
| Endoscopic decompression | Dural sac or nerve root | Minimally invasive |
| Craniotomy for tumor | Brain / cranial nerves | Intracranial |
🎯 Goals
- Relieve neurological symptoms: pain, weakness, numbness, or claudication
- Prevent progression of neurological deficits
- Improve function and quality of life
⚠️ Potential Complications
- Dural tear or CSF leak
- Iatrogenic instability (if over-resection)
- Incomplete decompression
- Postoperative infection or hematoma
🗯️ Example
“The patient underwent lumbar decompression for severe spinal canal stenosis.”