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Although prescription opioid abuse is a serious concern, patients are commonly prescribed opioids for postoperative pain management. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose steroids to reduce postoperative pain and opioid use after lumbar laminectomy and/or discectomy. In the 10-day period postdischarge, patients prescribed a low-dose steroid reported decreased pain scores compared with those who were not prescribed a low-dose steroid; however, there was no associated significant difference in opioid consumption. Outcomes data suggest that postoperative oral steroid may reduce postoperative pain but does not necessarily decrease short-term opioid use after lumbar laminectomy and/or discectomy.

This article briefly describes the clinical entity of cervical spondylotic myelopathy along with the differential diagnosis and preoperative diagnostic evaluation. Surgical indications and operative technique for posterior cervical laminectomy are discussed in detail. Outcomes and complications are discussed and comparisons are made with alternative decompressive techniques. Specific indications in which posterior cervical laminectomy is the treatment of choice are highlighted.