Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Jul;23(2):76-80.
doi: 10.1159/000443564. Epub 2016 Jul 7.

Experimental Model of Intervertebral Disk Mediated Postoperative Epidural Fibrosis

Sergey N Larionov  1 , V A Sorokovikov  2 , K C Erdyneyev  3 , S A Lepekhova  3 , O A Goldberg  3
Affiliations

Experimental Model of Intervertebral Disk Mediated Postoperative Epidural Fibrosis

Sergey N Larionov et al. Ann Neurosci. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Postoperative epidural fibrosis (EF) after lumbar discectomy is the most common and at the same time controversial issue.

Purpose: The etiology and pathogenesis creates a lot of discussion and selection of methods of treatment and prevention continues.

Methods: LIV laminectomy with dura mater (DM) exposition was done in 24 rats, and then, 0.3 ml of elements of suspension of autologous intervertebral disk was implicated on DM. As autologous intervertebral disk, we used the intervertebral disk from amputated tail. In all the animals, incisions were closed with 3/0 Vicryl. EF was examined. Fibroblast cell density was calculated in each field at ×40 magnification: Grade 1 - fewer than 100 fibroblasts in each field; Grade 2 - 100-150 fibroblasts in each field; Grade 3 - more than 150 fibroblasts in each field.

Results: Based on histological results, we confirmed our model of experiment. On the 30th day of evaluation, there were significant histological evidences of postoperative epidural adhesions in experimental animals, which included the obliteration of epidural space, the presence of adhesions in the dura and nerve roots, the restructuring of the yellow ligament, bone sclerosis, excessive appearance of fibrous tissue around the autologous intervertebral disk tissue that applied on the DM.

Conclusion: In our work, we describe a new experimental model, where the elements of autologous intervertebral disk play the role of inflammation trigger, which cause postoperative scar and EF.

Keywords: Experimental model; Intervertebral disk; Laminectomy; Postoperative epidural fibrosis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Block resected vertebral column with paraspinal muscle (between the ThX and LVI levels).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Grade 1 fibrosis as it is observed in the control group on the 30th day. Less EF and fibroblast cell density and only thin fibrous bands between DM and scar tissue are observed. H&E, original magnification ×40.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Grade 2 fibrosis as observed in the control group on the 30th day. EF adher to the underlying DM. H&E, original magnification ×40.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Grade 3 fibrosis as observed in the experimental group on the 30th day. Dense EF, dural adhesion and RS and DM retraction are seen in the laminectomized area. H&E, original magnification ×40.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Graph of comparison of fibroblast cell density in the control and experimental groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Andersson GB. Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain. Lancet. 1999;354:581–585. - PubMed
    1. Dotsenko VV. Repeated surgery for degenerative diseases of the spine. Spine Surg. 2004;4:63–67.
    1. Erdyneev KC, Sorokovikov VA, Larionov SN. The postoperative scar-adhesive epidurit (review) Bull VSNC SO RAMN. 2011;1:243–246.
    1. Rodrigues FF, Dozza DC, de Oliveira CR, et al. Failed back surgery syndrome: casuistic and etiology. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2006;64:757–761. - PubMed
    1. Seelig W, Nidecker А. [Pain following operations of the lumbar spine. The ‘failed back surgery syndrome’] Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 1989;127:346–353. - PubMed