Efficacy of topical cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel in preventing post laminectomy/laminotomy fibrosis in a rat model

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic research 2016-02, Vol.34 (2), p.299-306
• Main Authors: Wu, Cheng-Yi, Huang, Yi-Hung, Lee, Jung-Shun, Tai, Ta-Wei, Wu, Po-Ting, Jou, I-Ming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel (cHA); Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Dura Mater - pathology; epidural fibrosis (EF); Failed Back Surgery Syndrome - prevention & control; Fibrosis - prevention & control; Hyaluronic Acid - administration & dosage; Laminectomy; laminotomy; Male; Random Allocation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spinal Canal - pathology; spine; Viscosupplements - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0736-0266; 1554-527X
• DOI: 10.1002/jor.23001

ABSTRACT Post‐laminectomy/laminotomy epidural fibrosis (EF) has been implicated as an important cause of failed back syndrome (FBS). The various clinical approaches used to control EF yield mixed outcomes. Cross‐linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel (cHA) was synthesized to increase mechanical stability and residence time. We evaluated the therapeutic attenuation of proliferative EF in laminectomy/laminotomy groups treated and not treated with cHA. A bilateral T11‐L1 total laminectomy or unilateral T12 laminotomy was done on four groups (n = 10 each) of Sprague‐Dawley rats and then histologically examined 2 months post‐surgery: (I) laminectomy group treated with and (II) not treated with cHA, (III) laminotomy group treated with and (IV) not treated with cHA. The grade of EF, the diameters within the spinal canal, dura mater thickness, and the area of the epidural space, subarachnoid space, and conus medullaris space were assessed. The cHA‐treated subgroups (I, III) had a significantly lower grade of EF, thinner dura mater, and larger epidural and subarachnoid spaces than did the control subgroups (II, IV) (p