{"id":"3ecacc57-1015-4615-9066-324331ad9e0e","slug":"epidural-scarring-after-lumbar-disc-surgery-equivalent-scarring-withwithout-free-autologous-fat-grafts","title":"Epidural scarring after lumbar disc surgery: Equivalent scarring with/without free autologous fat grafts","authors":["M. Dobran","D. Brancorsini","M. Della Costanza","V. Liverotti","F. Mancini","D. Nasi","M. Iacoangeli","M. Scerrati"],"abstract":"Background: To limit epidural fibrosis and prevent scar formation/nerve tethering that may contribute to chronic postoperative pain; some surgeons have utilized epidural autologous fat grafts following lumbar microdiscectomy. Methods: We investigated the correlation between post-microdiscectomy epidural scarring [including select magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies] and clinical outcomes in 36 patients operated for symptomatic. MRI documented L4-L5 and L5-S1 disk herniations with (18 patients) and without (18 patient) the application of free fat grafts. In addition, histological evaluation of the original fat grafts was performed in 4 patients requiring additional surgery. Results: We found no clear association between the use of autologous graft fats and the clinical outcomes in this study. Conclusion: In this preliminary study involving only 36 patients, the prospective randomized use of free autologous fat grafts did not appear to influence outcomes following microdiscectomy.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/3ecacc57-1015-4615-9066-324331ad9e0e/featured/hero-1782420831075.png","publishDate":"2017-08-01T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_142_17","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"http://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/8527/SNI-8-169.pdf"}