Evaluation of epidural scar formation in lumbar spine after TachoComb application - an experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
Scar formation after spine surgery in the lumbosacral region may be the cause of failed back surgery syndrome. Therefore efforts are made to find materials preventing excessive scar formation at the site of surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of TachoComb application in prevention of epidural scar formation in a rat experimental model. This paper additionally presents a review of literature concerning other methods of local suppression of scar formation after posterior approaches to the lumbar spine.


METHODS
The experimental study was carried out on 14 male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 2 groups. Laminectomy was performed in the first group (control group: n=5). In the second group of animals (n=9) laminectomy was followed by TachoComb application on the exposed dura. Neurological condition of the studied animals was evaluated based on clinical observation, neurological tests and recording of somatosensory evoked potentials. Post mortem histological examination was the main method of assessment of the experimental material.


RESULTS
Presence of scar in the vertebral canal, its extent and severity differed between experimental groups. Electrophysiological results were also different between studied groups.


CONCLUSIONS
TachoComb prevents epidural scar formation after lumbar spine surgery. Its positive effect concerning neural transmission at the level of the medulla was proven by electrophysiological tests in which the amplitude of components I and II of SSEP in the TachoComb group were significantly higher than in the control group.
Brzezicki
Grzegorz
G
Katedra i Klinika Neurochirurgii i Neurotraumatologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego, ul. Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznań.
Jankowski
Roman
R
Blok
Tomasz
T
Szymaś
Janusz
J
Huber
Juliusz
J
Szukała
Agnieszka
A
Nowak
Stanisław
S
Borejsza-Wysocki
Maciej
M
D000818:Animals; D007611:Aprotinin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013917:Thrombin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004338:Drug Combinations; C093991:tachocomb; D005340:Fibrinogen; D007611:Aprotinin; D013917:Thrombin