title: The role of closed-suction drainage in preventing epidural fibrosis and its correlation with a new grading system of epidural fibrosis on the basis of MRI.
abstract: In this study we aimed to evaluate the role of closed-suction drainage on the extent of epidural fibrosis (EF) after lumbar disc surgery and to define a new grading system of epidural fibrosis in these patients, based on magnetic resonance imaging. Seventy-nine patients (34 women, 45 men) with a unilateral, single-level lumbar disc herniation were included in this study. Forty-one patients in whom closed-suction drainage was implanted were compared with 38 patients in whom the drain was not implanted. We have used a new grading system for the extent of epidural fibrosis, on the basis of follow-up magnetic resonance imaging findings. Pain intensity was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS), and the patients' function and working ability were measured according to the Prolo functional-economic scale. We conclude that, in patients operated on for unilateral, single-level lumbar disc hernias, implantation of closed-suction drainage into the operation site results in less formation of EF radiologically and yields better clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Baskent University, 01250 Adana, Turkey. oraysen@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kizilkilic
authors.forename: M Volkan
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erdogan
authors.forename: Melih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cekinmez
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Caner
authors.forename: Nur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Altinors
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000473:pathology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods