A comparison of the effectiveness of waxed paper and Gore-Tex on the minimally invasive epidural fibrosis model.
METHODS
Experimental animal study.


OBJECTIVE
The authors conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of waxed paper in preventing postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis in rats.


BACKGROUND
Extensive epidural fibrosis after lumbar surgery may be the underlying cause in most cases of failed back surgery syndrome. Various materials have been used to prevent epidural fibrosis, but only moderate success has been shown.


METHODS
Laminectomies were performed at the fourth lumbar vertebra (L-4) in 30 rats. Waxed paper or Gore-Tex was applied in a blinded fashion to the operative sites. In the control group, only the L-4 laminectomy was performed. The rats were killed 28 days after surgery.


RESULTS
The extent of epidural fibrosis was evaluated by histologic analysis. There was a meaningful statistical difference among the waxed paper group and the Gore-Tex group compared with the control group, but there was no difference when the effectiveness of waxed paper was compared with that of Gore-Tex.


CONCLUSIONS
In this experimental model, the waxed paper applied locally effectively reduced epidural fibrosis, completely avoided dural adherence, and induced no side effects.
Kurt
Gokhan
G
Department of Neurosurgery, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Celik
Bulent
B
Cemil
Berker
B
Doğulu
Fikret
F
Baykaner
Mustafa Kemali
MK
Ceviker
Necdet
N
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014885:Waxes
D014885:Waxes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene