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Polymeric Dural Biomaterials in Spinal Surgery: A Review
Taoxu Yan1, Junyao Cheng1, Qing He2
1Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 27, 2024
Summary
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) can result from epidural fibrosis after laminectomy. This study explores hydrogel biomaterials as a promising strategy to prevent scar tissue formation and alleviate persistent lower back pain.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Laminectomy can lead to epidural fibrosis, causing Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) and persistent lower back pain.
- FBSS presents significant physical and emotional distress and complicates revision surgeries.
- Preventing epidural fibrosis with biomaterials is more effective than revision surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for preparing natural and polymeric biomaterials for preventing epidural fibrosis.
- To discuss the physicochemical properties and fibroblast mitigation capabilities of these biomaterials.
- To highlight challenges and recent advancements in translating these biomaterials to clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on hydrogel-based biomaterials for epidural fibrosis prevention.
- Analysis of preparation strategies for natural and polymeric biomaterials.
- Evaluation of physicochemical properties and fibroblast proliferation inhibition.
Main Results:
- Hydrogel biomaterials offer biocompatibility, degradability, injectability, and tunable properties.
- Various natural and polymeric biomaterials show potential in mitigating fibroblast proliferation.
- Significant challenges remain in clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel biomaterials are a promising avenue for preventing post-surgical epidural fibrosis.
- Further research is needed to overcome clinical translation hurdles.
- Advancements in biomaterial design offer hope for managing FBSS.
