Inhibition of epidural fibrosis with ADCONê-L: Effect on clinical outcome one year following re-operation for recurrent lumbar radiculopathy

Abstract

In a prospective multicenter studYI 20 patients underwent re-operation for recurrent radiculopathy after lumbo-sacral discectomYI and were treated with AOCONê-L (Adhesion Control in a Barrier Gel) to inhibit epidural fibrosis following secondary surgery. Outcomes after re-operation were assessed at six and 12 months using: Visual Analog Scales to measure radicular and back painl straight leg raising examsl and selfassessment of activity-related radicular pain. Each parameter was compared to baseline valuesl obtained immediately prior to the re-operation. The long term clinical results at 12 months after re-operation (summarized below) demonstrate a significant improvement of all clinical parametersl and correlated with the results seen at six months. Radicular painl measured when most severel was reduced from an average pre-operative score of 8.1-3.7 (p < 0.005). The straight leg raising angle increased from an average preoperative value of 41°-67° (p < 0.005). Activity-related pain mean score was 4.61 VS. 17.0 pre-operatively (p < 0.005). Low back painl measured when most severel was reduced from an average pre-operative score of 6.1 to 3.1 (p < 0.012). These clinical findings compare very favorably with data reported in the literature. There were no adverse events or complications related to the use of AOCONê-L. [Neural Res 1999; 21 Suppl 1: S51-S60]