Use of Dural Graft to Prevent Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leakage and its Effects on Medulla Spinalis: An Experimental Study

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Introduction: Dural injuries are encountered generally as trauma, spinal tumor excision or postop complications. It is a major problem leads to cerebrospinal fluid leakage meningitis. The method used often in repair is applying the watertight suture to the damaged area with appropriate measures of fascia and dural grafts. The used grafts can be ranged as bovine pericardium, synthetic collagen matrices, fibrin tissue adhesive, vicryl, and polydioxanone graft. In the studies, it is observed that there is still no significant difference between grafts and fascia. Material-Methods: In our study, 60 Spraque Dawley rats whose weights are ranging from 200-250 gr were used. The solution consists of the ketamine hydrochloride (60 mg/kg) and xylazine (12 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to the subjects and the subjects were taken into anesthesia. The subjects were divided into 5 groups. In the first group no extra action was taken, in the second group, fibrin tissue adhesive was applied on the dural injury and in the third group collagen matrix was applied on the dural injury, in the fourth group bovine pericardium was applied on the dural injury, in the fifth group subcutaneous fascia (autogenetic graft) was applied on the dural injury. Surgical Operation: After providing the sterile conditions and operating the anesthesia agents, the experimental animals were laid down on the operating table in the prone position for surgical operation. Following the local area cleaning and environment isolation, subcutaneous incision was applied. Fascia was opened and paravertebral muscles were scarred subperiostally. After applying L1-4 laminectomy, approximately 2 cm linear incision was made with bistoury and cerebrospinal fluid leakage was observed from the dural injury. Analgesia was applied with 10 mg/kg paracetamol on the subjects which survived approximately 6 weeks after the operation. On the 7th day (early group) after the operation, 6 animals from each group and 6 animals from each group after 6 weeks from the operation were injected 100 mg/kg phenobarbital intraperitoneally and scarification operation was completed. Former incision was opened and spinal cord under the laminectomy area was removed with the dural graft as a block and histopathological findings was provided. Histopathological findings: The incisions from this area were stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Masson Trichrome. In the examination, collagen, vascular diagenesis and necrosis from histopathological findings were examined in early period (first week) and late period (sixth) week. It was observed that in the groups.