Effectiveness Of Chicken Embryo Amniotic Membrane In Preventing Post Laminectomy Epidural Fibrosis Development – A Rat Laminectomy Model

ABSTRACT Objective: Amniotic membranes have been shown to enhance nerve regeneration and reduce perineural fibrosis after surgery. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of chicken amniotic membranes on preventing epidural fibrosis after laminectomy. Method: In this study, 20 adult male Wistar albino rats weighing 300±50 g were used. The rats were randomly divided into two groups, each containing 10 rats. Group 1 (Control group, n=10): Rats underwent 3-distance laminectomy + primary closure. Group 2 (Experimental group, n=10): Rats underwent 3-distance laminectomy + chicken embryo amniotic membrane application followed by primary closure. Results: In the group where the chicken embryo amniotic membrane was placed, the degree of macroscopic fibrosis varied between stage 1 and stage 3; 70% (n=7) of the subjects developed scar tissue that could be easily dissected in the dura mater (Rydell stage 1), two subjects (20%) developed scar tissue that caused structural deterioration in duramater and caused serious dissection difficulties but could be dissected (Rydell stage 2), while only one subject (10%) had scar tissue that was adherent to the dura mater and could not be dissected (Rydell stage 3). The difference between the groups was significant (p =0.001). Histopathologically, group 1 showed grade 2 and 3 scar tissue development, while group 2 showed grade 0 to 3 scar development, with a significant difference (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study results show that chicken embryo-derived amniotic membrane can be implanted as a physical barrier to reduce epidural fibrosis without affecting wound healing and causing infection the surgical area. Keywords: Epidural Fibrosis, Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Chicken Embryo Amniotic Membrane.