title: The role of hybrid chitosan membranes on scarring process following lumbar surgery: post-laminectomy experimental model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Post-operative scarring process on lumbar surgery is object of several studies mainly because of the epidural fibrosis formation. Hybrid chitosan have shown promising effect on fibrosis prevention. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of chitosan-silane membrane on the lumbar surgery scarring process. These membranes have improved mechanical strength which makes them suitable to maintain a predefined shape.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two level lumbar laminectomy was performed in 14 New Zealand male rabbits. Laminectomy sites were randomly selected for biomaterial or control. Chitosan membranes were prepared and care was taken in order to make it adapted to the bone defect dimensions covering the totality of the defect including the bone margins. Histological analysis was performed by haematoxylin/eosin and by Masson's trichrome staining four weeks after laminectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microscope observations revealed the presence of a well-organized regenerating tissue, integrated in the surrounding vertebral bone tissue with a regular and all-site interface on the chitosan sites, in clear contrast with the presence of a disorganized regenerating tissue with aspects consistent with the persistence of a chronic inflammatory condition, on control sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study clearly demonstrated that hybrid chitosan had an organizing effect on post-operative scarring process. The presence of the hybrid chitosan membrane resulted on a well-organized tissue integrated in the surrounding vertebral bone tissue with signs of regenerative bone tissue in continuity with native bone. This can be a major feature on the dynamics of epidural fibrosis formation.
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Carvalho
authors: Luís M
authors: LM
authors: Costa
authors: José E
authors: JE
authors: Pereira
authors: Yuki
authors: Y
authors: Shirosaki
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Hayakawa
authors: José D
authors: JD
authors: Santos
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Geuna
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Fregnan
authors: António M
authors: AM
authors: Cabrita
authors: Ana C
authors: AC
authors: Maurício
authors: Artur S
authors: AS
authors: Varejão
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D048271:Chitosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Chitosan-silane,; Epidural fibrosis,; Hybrid chitosan,; Laminectomy,; Lumbar surgery