"Honey" can prevent epidural fibrosis development after laminectomy: an experimental study

One of the most important causes of failed back surgery is the development of epidural fibrosis. Many methods and substances have been used to prevent the development of epidural fibrosis after laminectomy. In this study, effects of "manuka honey" on epidural fibrosis development after laminectomy was evaluated in rats.

Subjects were divided into two groups:In Group-1 (n=8);only laminectomy was carried out in the L1 level; in group-2 (n=8), laminectomy was carried out in the L1 level and manuka honey was applied to the area. The related vertebral columns were removed en bloc 6 weeks later. Leveled sections with thicknesses of 6 mm were obtained from paraffin blocks.

In the grading made based on the fibroblast count and scar tissue degree, it was found that epidural fibrosis developed significantly less in the group-2 as compared to the group-1, and the difference was statistically significant.

It was shown in our study that manuka honey reduces the degree of epidural fibrosis in rats following laminectomy. We believe that manuka honey, which can be used safely in the clinic for surgical wounds, can be used routinely to prevent development of epidural fibrosis following laminectomy.