A laminectomy is a surgical procedure typically performed on patients with spinal stenosis that suffer from chronic back pain. A laminectomy makes the spinal canal larger, reducing pressure on the spinal nerves. The bony arch at the back of the spine that covers the spinal canal (lamina) is removed at the site of nerve irritation. Your neurosurgeon will also remove any bone spurs from around the nerves, reducing irritation and inflammation they have caused. It may be necessary to remove part of the facet joints or part of the discs as well.