decompression (surgery)

In medicine, decompression refers to the removal or repositioning of any structure compressing any other structure.{{cn|date=January 2022}}

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.{{Cite journal |last=An |first=HS |last2=Al-Shihabi |first2=L |last3=Kurd |first3=M |date=July 2014 |title=Surgical treatment for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine. |journal=The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons |volume=22 |issue=7 |pages=420–9 |doi=10.5435/JAAOS-22-07-420 |pmid=24966248 |s2cid=1481200}}{{Cite journal |vauthors=Lipinski LJ, Spinner RJ |date=October 2014 |title=Neurolysis, neurectomy, and nerve repair/reconstruction for chronic pain |journal=Neurosurg Clin N Am |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=777–87 |doi=10.1016/j.nec.2014.07.002 |pmid=25240664}}