To gain access to the spinal nerve root and remove a rupture…

To gain access to the spinal nerve root and remove a ruptured disc during a laminectomy/micro disc procedure, the surgeon uses a powered, handheld drill/burr (Stryker TPS or RemB) to open a small pilot hole in the bony lamina. The surgeon will typically convert to using a different cutting instrument after to avoid damaging the dura. What instrument is  used to enlarge the small hole and remove additional lamina bone?

During a ______, the spinous process is removed along with s…

During a ______, the spinous process is removed along with soft tissue, lamina bone above the interspace, the ligamentum flavum, and the medial margin of the adjacent facet. The procedure is strictly removal of bone since no disc degeneration or disease is present.