The effects of Seprafilm and interceed TC7 on epidural fibrosis in a rat hemilaminectomy model

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose (Seprafilm) and oxidized regenerated cellulose (Interceed TC7) in the prevention of epidural fibrosis.

Methods: Thirty adult rats underwent hemilaminectomy. The right L6 site was designated as a control site, and the left L5 and right L4 were randomly selected for treatment groups. Fifteen rats were killed after 4 weeks, and another 15 rats were killed at 8 weeks. Postoperative epidural fibrosis, dural adhesion, foreign body reaction, inflammation, fibroblast cell density, and medulla spinalis retraction were investigated.

Results: For both time intervals, there were significantly less epidural fibrosis, dural adhesion, and medulla spinalis retraction in groups treated with Seprafilm and Interceed TC7 than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the control group and the treatment groups in fibroblast cell density, foreign body reaction, and inflammation. There were no significant differences in any evaluated parameters between the treatment groups at the 2 time intervals.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential for Seprafilm and Interceed TC7 to significantly reduce the formation of epidural fibrosis and adhesions in a rat hemilaminectomy model, without inflammation or foreign body reactions.