During a microdecompression, bone is taken out. First, a small part of the lamina is removed. It is taken from the vertebrae above and below the pinched nerve. Removing part of the lamina is called a laminotomy. Taking out all the lamina is called a laminectomy. If there is no disk problem, the small opening made by this process may take pressure off the nerve. But most often, more bone, ligaments, or both are pressing on a nerve. This bone and the ligaments are also taken out.