Laminectomy means removal of the lamina. This procedure is most commonly performed for patients who have debilitating leg and/or buttock pain from spinal stenosis or large disc herniation, and who have failed non-operative treatment. Laminectomy is performed with the patient lying face down. An incision is made in the back and the muscles are retracted.

The lamina is removed to free the nerve roots. Additionally, the facet joints are undercut to free the nerve throughout its course. The undercutting of the facet joints is called facetectomy, and the freeing of the nerve throughout its course is called a foraminotomy.

Usually freeing of the nerve can be performed without much removal of the facet joints. If excessive facet joint removal is needed, or if there is instability of the spine, sometimes a fusion is also necessary.