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The Division of Neurosurgery at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia gives patients outstanding care, using the latest technology to perform proven surgical and non-surgical treatments safely and effectively. Click a link below to learn more about tools and techniques Einstein neurosurgeons use to treat spinal disorders.

Cervical Corpectomy

Decompressive Laminectomy

Endoscopic Surgery

Microdiscectomy

Cervical corpectomy is a procedure where surgeons remove part or all of a vertebral body to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. The resulting space between vertebrae may be fused with a piece of bone or filled with a metal plate.

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Decompressive laminectomy is performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves caused by spinal stenosis. The procedure’s aim is to restore and maintain alignment and strength of the spine by removing, trimming or adjusting diseased parts that are causing the pressure or loss of alignment. This operation involves removing the lamina (roof) of one or more vertebrae to create more space for the nerves. This allows access to the spinal cord or nerves so surgeons can remove tumors, treat injuries to the spine or relieve pressure on a nerve. A surgeon may perform a laminectomy with or without fusing vertebrae or removing part of a disc. Various devices may be used to enhance fusion and strengthen unstable segments of the spine following decompression surgery.

Endoscopic surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery. Neurosurgeons use an endoscope (a skinny, tubular telescope-type of instrument connected to a tiny video camera) and small surgical instruments inserted through small incisions to remove pituitary tumors or bulging disc material.

Microdiscectomy is a procedure in which surgeons insert tiny instruments through a small incision (less than one inch in length) in a patient’s back. They then use a high-powered microscope to view the patient’s spine and the microsurgical instruments. In the first part of the procedure, the surgeon removes a small piece of bone (lamina) protecting the spinal canal to see the damaged disc and pinched nerve root. In the second part of the procedure, disc fragments are removed, along with tiny pieces of disc that are pressing on the nerves.