System and method for spinal decompression

A method for performing a laminoplasty procedure in a spinal vertebra, comprising:

• providing an implant configured to be placed on a previously formed lamina opening between a lamina and a lateral mass of the spinal vertebra, wherein the implant is shaped and dimensioned to be placed in the lamina opening after the opening has been distracted;
• providing an inserter tool configured to insert the implant near the lamina opening and then to distract the lamina opening prior to inserting the implant into the lamina opening so that the lamina opening is dimensioned to receive the implant and the inserter tool is configured to then place the implant into the distracted lamina opening while simultaneously holding the lamina opening in a distracted state;
• and
• wherein the inserter tool comprises an elongated shaft and a distal end and wherein the distal end comprises first and second spreadable shims and wherein the first and second spreadable shims are shaped and dimensioned to pass through first and second openings formed in the implant, wherein the first and second spreadable shims have cross-sections matching cross-sections of the first and second openings, respectively, and wherein the implant is configured to slide down along the first and second shims by advancing the elongated shaft down and to spread the first and second shims apart.