Post Op Cervical Laminectomy

Recovery Room (PACU) (first few hours after surgery)

• Your exam and pain level are closely monitored

• Supplemental oxygen is normal during this stage

• Taking deep breaths will improve your lungs' recovery

• Compression stockings are used to prevent blood clots 

• Urine (Foley) catheter used to monitor urine output

• Incision in the back of the neck will have absorbable sutures under the skin, with surgical glue on the skin surface.  A skin dressing may also be used.

• Soft neck collar supplied for comfort (not required)

• Pain medicine and other Rx via I.V. (intravenous route)

• Swallowing difficulty and hoarseness is expected

• There will be a drainage tube near the incision site, connected to a suction bulb, used to drain expected blood seepage and routine post-op fluid drainage

• Mobilize out of bed to a chair as soon as feasible

• Gradually start meals as tolerated

• Visitation in the Recovery Room is very limited

• Significant neck pain and stiffness is expected

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Surgery Floor bed (2-3 days)

• Continue compression stockings while in bed

• Subcutaneous Heparin is started to prevent blood clots

• Foley catheter is removed within 1-2 days

• Surgical drain is usually removed within 2-3 days

• Advance to regular diet as swallowing improves

• Ambulate in the hallways as much as tolerated

• May shower after drains are removed

• Antibiotics are taken for 24 hours after surgery or until the drain is removed

• Pain control may be via a PCA, where you are able to control how the pain medication 

• Transition pain medicine and other Rx to oral route when pain improves over the first few days

• Pain medications cause constipation, which may require laxatives.  

• Significant neck pain and stiffness is expected