THE PREVENTION OF PERIDURAL ADHESIONS - COMPARATIVE LONG-TERM HISTOMORPHOMETRIC STUDY USING A BIODEGRADABLE BARRIER AND A FAT GRAFT

We studied peridural fibrosis in 16 dogs after laminectomies at the L2 , L4 and L6 levels. They received either a free fat graft, a biodegrad able mechanical barrier (polyethylene oxide (PEO)/polybutylene terepht halate (PBT) copolymer), or no treatment. The animals were killed afte r 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. Histomorphometry showed extensive and consis tent peridural fibrosis in control and PEO/PBT groups, Fat grafts prod uced significantly less fibrous tissue, but the presence of the fat gr aft in the bony defect prevented closure. Degradation of the PEO/PBT b arrier resulted in the formation of more fibrous tissue, We conclude t hat up to one year a free fat graft is effective in reducing the amoun t of peridural scarring.