difference between a fusion and a laminectomy
A laminectomy involves the trimming or removal of the lamina bone. A fusion is an operation where two or more vertebral bones are joined together. A single surgery may include more than one of these three procedures. For example, one might remove a bit of the lamina to get to a bad disc which is then shaved down by doing a discectomy. One might do a discectomy to prepare a space for a lumbar fusion. Sometimes when we say laminectomy, we mean partial laminectomy (also called laminotomy). When we say discectomy, we usually mean a partial discectomy where only the bad part of the disc is removed. Endoscopic procedures are minimally invasive surgeries. Some can be done without an incision and without a hospital stay.