Impact of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy in post-laminectomy epidural fibrosis in a rat model

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effect of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) treatment in the prevention of epidural fibrosis after laminectomy in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen 16-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300 g were used in this experimental study between November 2019 and February 2020. The rats were randomly divided into two groups as the control group (L3-L4 total laminectomy without any treatment) and the study group (L3-L4 total laminectomy plus rESWT). The rats were sacrificed at the postoperative sixth week and the lumbar spine was excised en bloc, fixed, and decalcified. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to evaluate epidural fibrosis, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, and vascular proliferation. RESULTS: The median value and standard deviations were obtained based on histological examinations. Accordingly, epidural fibrosis decreased significantly in the study group compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of acute and chronic inflammation response and vascular proliferation. CONCLUSION: The rESWT application immediately after surgery is effective in preventing epidural fibrosis after laminectomy in rats.