Lack of postdiscectomy adhesions following application of ADCON^®-L: a case report

Abstract

Study design: This case study focused on findings in two patients who underwent repeat discectomy following reherniation. Objectives: The cases are presented to show that use of ADCON^®-L Anti-Adhesion Barrier Gel can limit the extent of peridural adhesions subsequent to discectomy. Peridural fibrosis has been implicated as one of the principal causes of failed back surgery syndrome following lumbar discectomy. Summary of background data: Accurate assessment of the extent of scarring following lumbar discectomy has been made possible by the use of MRI; however, the only direct means of assessing adhesions is during reoperations to treat reherniations or other causes of surgical failure. Methods: Both of the initial operations were performed using standard microsurgical procedures. At the end of surgery, one patient received ADCON-L Anti-Adhesion Barrier Gel and the other did not. Results: During the repeat operation, extensive peridural adhesions were found in the patient who did not receive ADCON-L during the initial discectomy procedure. In contrast, essentially neither scar nor adhesions were found in the patient who received ADCON-L. Conclusion: ADCON-L effectively inhibits the development of peridural fibrosis following lumbar discectomy. This finding could have implications for the rate of occurrence of failed back surgery syndrome.