This animal experimental study was designed to examine the effects of
TachoComb, a fixed combination of
collagen with
tissue adhesive, as an interposition membrane on the development of spinal epidural
fibrosis in comparison to other hemostyptic materials. In 10 Wistar rats, four
laminectomies were performed at lumbar and sacral vertebrae. Alternately, a piece of
TachoComb,
Spongostan, or Tabotamp was placed into each
laminectomy site. One
laminectomy site served as an empty control (n = 10). 8 weeks later, the animals were sacrificed, and the spinal column including surrounding muscle tissue was removed en bloc from each rat and fixed in
formaldehyde. After decalcification and staining the specimens were graded by a neuropathologist in a blindfold test for severity of epidural
fibrosis as "light-moderate" or "marked". Epidural
scarring of variable density was seen in all
laminectomy sites. Light epidural
fibrosis, without any adhesion to dura, as only noted in cases after application of
TachoComb (n = 4/10) and
Spongostan (n = 1/10). All other slices showed marked epidural
fibrosis with dura adherence regardless of the implanted material. Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower epidural
fibrosis after application of
TachoComb compared to all other groups (p < 0.05). In this series,
TachoComb is more effective in reducing the epidural
fibrosis than
Spongostan, and Tabotamp. However, complete prevention of
scar tissue formation was not achieved.