Silicon prevents post laminectomy epidural root adhesions an experimental study in rats

An experimental study was designed to test the efficacy of a silicon barrier around a nerve root in order to prevent post operative epidural root scar adhesions. In 32 Sprague-Dawely rats a lumbar nerve root was microsurgically exposed bilaterally. In 16 animals a silicon tube, prepared with a longitudinal cut along half of its wall, was placed around one nerve root, while the contralateral side served as control. In another group of 12 animals, an autologous subcutaneous fat graft was placed on the exposed root. A group of 4 animals served as the control group which had not been operated upon.