title: Cervical laminectomy and instrumented lateral mass fusion: techniques, pearls and pitfalls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cervical laminectomy is a reliable tool for posterior decompression in various cervical spine pathologies. Although there is increasing evidence of superior clinical, neurological and radiological outcomes when using anterior cervical decompression, laminectomy can be a valuable tool when combined with instrumented lateral mass fusion for carefully selected indications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review article will provide decision-making guidance, technical advice and pitfalls. The technical advice for laminectomy and instrumented lateral mass fusion is illustrated. The authors review the literature on outcomes and complications and suggest indications for the safe and successful application of cervical laminectomy and lateral mass fusion.
authors.affiliation: German Scoliosis Center. Werner-Wicker-Clinic Bad Wildungen, Im Kreuzfeld 4, 34537, Bad Wildungen, Germany, mayermichi@yahoo.de.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Auffarth
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koller
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*