A dose–response study of prostaglandin E1 on nerve root blood flow velocity and neurologic symptoms after lumbar spinal decompression in surgical patients

Abstract Aim: This study was carried out to determine the dose–response relationship of the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the nerve root blood flow and the neurologic symptoms after lumbar decompressive surgery using laser Doppler flowmetry. Methods: Fifty-four patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Each group received intravenously one of three test solutions; 10 ml of saline in group A (N = 18), 10 ml of saline containing PGE1, 20 μg, in group B (N = 18), and 10 ml of saline containing PGE1, 50 μg, in group C (N = 18). After lumbar laminectomy, a probe of laser Doppler flowmetry was placed directly on the lumbar nerve root. Nerve root blood flow (RBF) velocity was measured before the injection of test solution (T1), at 5 min (T2) and 10 min (T3) after starting injection, and 10 min after the end of injection (T4). A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the walking distance were measured for assessment of neurologic symptoms before and after surgery. Resu...