Use of Vicryl (polyglactin 910) mesh to limit epidural scar formation after laminectomy

A variety of substances have been used at laminectomy sites to prevent postoperative epidural scarring. Free grafts of autologous subcutaneous fat are commonly used both clinically and experimentally. The free fat grafts usually survive, but decrease in size by about 50%. Postoperatively, subcutaneous seroma has been observed with the use of fat grafts, as well as recurrent symptoms of neural compression by the graft that required additional operations. When compared to the use of free grafts after laminectomy in dogs, Vicryl mesh produced slightly more scarring, but consistently less than that observed in control animals. The Vicryl mesh was resorbed by a minimal chronic inflammatory response over about 45 days. Seven of 11 fat-grafted zones showed signs of necrosis, at times with a greater collection of inflammatory cells than that associated with the Vicryl mesh. Of the 4 fat-grafted zones that showed good survival, 2 had gross evidence of neural compression. No surgical zone treated with Vicryl mesh exhibited evidence of neural compression. In view of these results, the use of Vicryl mesh at laminectomy sites may be a safer method of limiting postoperative epidural scar formation.