Abstract

AIM
Postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis is the formation of scar tissue over the dura mater following posterior spinal surgery. This devastating complication is responsible for the substantial amount of failed back syndromes. MATERIAL and
METHODS
Twenty male Wistar-Albino rats each weighing 350-400 grams were used. Following L3-L5 laminectomy, the rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 10 rats in each group. In the control group, only a laminectomy was performed. In the drug group, 5 mg/ml tacrolimus was topically applied with a cotton pad soaked with the drug solution for 5 minutes. The animals were killed on the 30th postoperative day injecting a lethal dose (250 mg/kg) of pentobarbital and the involved dural segments were removed for histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations.
RESULTS
Epidural scar thickness and the density were significantly lower in the animals treated with tacrolimus than those of the control group.
CONCLUSION
Promising evidence regarding the anti-scar potential of tacrolimus merits further research to optimize the dosage and the usage of the drug.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Ismailoglu O, Albayrak B, Gulsen I, Tanriover G, Demir N

Institution

Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Isparta, Turkey. ozguri_36@hotmail.com

Source

Turkish neurosurgery 21:4 2011 pg 630-3

MeSH

Administration, Topical
Animals
Cell Movement
Cicatrix
Disease Models, Animal
Dura Mater
Epidural Space
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Fibroblasts
Fibrosis
Immunosuppressive Agents
Laminectomy
Lumbar Vertebrae
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Neurosurgical Procedures
Postoperative Complications
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Spinal Canal
Tacrolimus
Treatment Outcome

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22194127