In medicine, decompression refers to the removal or repositioning of any structure compressing any other structure.
Common examples include decompressive craniectomy (removal of part of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain), a spinal decompression to relieve pressure on nerve roots, and a nerve decompression for peripheral nerve entrapments.12
References
References
- An, HS; Al-Shihabi, L; Kurd, M (July 2014). "Surgical treatment for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine". The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 22 (7): 420–9. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-22-07-420. PMID 24966248. S2CID 1481200.
- Lipinski LJ, Spinner RJ (October 2014). "Neurolysis, neurectomy, and nerve repair/reconstruction for chronic pain". Neurosurg Clin N Am. 25 (4): 777–87. doi:10.1016/j.nec.2014.07.002. PMID 25240664.