[Experimental studies on prevention of adhesion of tissue surrounding dura mater and morphological changes in the spinal cord following laminectomy (author's transl)].
The experimental animals were divided into six groups for the following purposes. First, dogs in Group 1 were subjected to laminectomy only to determine the development mechanism of scar tissue surrounding the dura mater and nerve root and to ascertain its effect upon the spinal cord. Next, dogs in Groups 2 to 6 were also subjected to laminectomy, but at the same time various types of interposing membranes were inserted experimentally to prevent adhesion of scar tissue and dura mater and nerve root. In Group 2, Gelfilm was inserted; Group 3, a fibrin membrane; Group 4, Silastic Sheet; Group 5, auto fascia and Group 6, auto fatty tissue. The results are based on findings obtained from 67 mature dogs. The tissue defect created after laminectomy became filled with scar tissue derived from the excised ends of the arch and the dorsal muscles, also representing the cause for adhesion with the dorsal dura mater. Fibrotic tissue extending from the dorsal aspect of the dura mater to the nerve root via the lateral wall joined at the dorsal aspect of the nerve root with the fibrotic tissue extending directly towards the nerve root from the excised ends of the arch. Adhesion between scar tissue and the dura mater of the lateral wall and the nerve root was observed 4 months after surgery. The use of interposed membranes after laminectomy suppresses fibrotic proliferation between the excised ends of the arch and nerve root and also inhibited fibrotic growth along the dorsal aspect to the lateral wall of the dura mater, and the results showed that at 4 months after surgery, inhibition in formation of scar tissue was noted in the dorsal aspect of the nerve root. A slight degree of flattening of the spinal cord was found in the laminectomy only group, but no such flattening could be seen in the fatty tissue transplanted group.
D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology*; D007796:Laminectomy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology; D000267:Tissue Adhesions