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Post Op Cervical Laminectomy

Post Op in the Hospital

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

Recovery at Home

First 10 to 14 days:

  • Neck pain and neck stiffness are expected

  • Shower every day once you are home

  • Swelling peaks around 3-4 days after surgery and then slowly gets better in 1-2 weeks, so your discomfort may worsen after surgery before slowly improving

  • Limit exertion to less than 10 pounds of lifting

  • Start walking at least 30 minutes every day

  • Wear neck soft collar for comfort (not required)

  • Numbness and Weakness may persist

  • Neurosurgery visit 10-14 days after surgery for a quick (5 minute) incision site check.  No suture/staple removal required.

  • Safe to drive when off of prescription pain meds

 

1 to 2 Months post op:

  • Increase activities (lifting limit is 20 lbs)

  • Post op pain/stiffness is still expected, but it should slowly decrease by the end of this time

  • Numbness and weakness are likely to persist

 

3 Months post op:

  • Neurosurgery visit 3 months after surgery 

  • Post Op xrays prior to the 3 month office visit

  • Pain and weakness should be resolving

  • Numbness may take 3-6 months to recover

  • May increase lifting and activities gradually back to baseline activities prior to surgery

©2018 by Quoc-Anh Thai, MD, Neurosurgeon.

Disclaimer: This is an independent, privately funded personal website, and the information/opinions contained in the website do not represent any hospital, health system, nor its affiliates and/or administration and are not necessarily endorsed by the aforementioned. This website provides general information only and does not claim to offer any form of diagnosis, treatment, nor state/imply any formation of a doctor-patient relationship nor the practice of telemedicine.  Formal doctor-patient relationship and neurosurgery care can only be done in person, without exception.  The site makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, nor timeliness of the information, and users agree that the website and anyone affiliated with the website will not be liable for any errors, omission, or usage that is not intended and in replacement of proper healthcare. All health related questions pertaining to you should be handled by your physician. 

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