Effect of Etanercept on the Formation of Epidural Fibrosis in an Experimental Model

AIM: To investigate the effects of local and systemic administration of etanercept on the formation of epidural fibrosis. MATERIAL and METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (Control, Spongostan (TM), Local etanercept and Systemic etanercept) and laminectomy was performed between T11 and L1 in all rats. Spongostan (TM) was soaked with saline (0.1 mg/kg), local etanercept (300 mu g/kg) was applied with Spongostan (TM) and systemic etanercept (300 mu g/kg/week) was applied subcutaneously. Four weeks later, the vertebral column from T9 to L3, including the paraspinal muscles and epidural scar tissue, was removed en bloc, and epidural fibrosis and arachnoidal involvement were graded and evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: The grading of epidural fibrosis was statistically significantly lower in systemic and local administration of etanercept groups compared to the control group (p < 0.005), but systemic etanercept administration was more effective. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of etanercept can be effective in reducing epidural fibrosis in rats after laminectomy.