The Use of Gore-Tex Surgical Membrane in Preventing Spinal Epidural Fibrosis (Experimental Study)

Abstract

Dural grafts are sometimes necessary for repairing spinal dural defects. The search for an ideal material for duraplasty remains a controversial topic. Twenty-six adult male Wistar-Albino rats, weighing 260-380 g, were used. The rats were divided into three groups: Control (n=10), Fascia (n=6), and Gore-Tex (polytetrafluoroethylene) Surgical Membrane group (n=10). After laminectomy was performed on the rats, a dural defect was created. Then, one of the procedures 'leaving the defect open,' 'duraplasty with fascia,' and 'duraplasty with Gore-Tex surgical membrane' was performed. On the 60th day after surgery, the rats were euthanized, and histological investigations were conducted to examine the granulation tissue and adhesions in the operative area. It was observed that granulation tissue filled the defect area in all three groups. In the fascia group, it was observed that the fascia formed a barrier between the dura mater and neural tissue and the granulation tissue, but it was filled with dense granulation tissue and there was adhesion. It was found that the granulation tissue did not adhere to the Gore-Tex surgical membrane in the Gore-Tex surgical membrane group, and the Gore-Tex surgical membrane created an excellent physical barrier preventing adhesion between the dura mater and neural and the granulation tissues.