An experimental study on prevention of postlaminectomy scar formation by the use of new materials

An experimental study was performed to investigate the prevention of scar formation after lumbar laminectomy, using Elastase and the new polylactic acid (PLA) membrane containing Elastase. The experimental animals consisted of four groups: control group, E group (using intravenous administration of Elastase), P group (covering the laminectomy defect with PLA membrane), and P-E group (covering the laminectomy defect with "PLA" + Elastase" membrane). The animals were killed at varying intervals (2-12 weeks) and changes in the lumbar spines were evaluated histologically. Scar formation was suppressed most significantly in the P-E group, followed in order by the E group, the P group, and the controls.