J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1991 Jul;20(7):574-576.

Nerve Root Compression by a Grafted Free Fat after Surgery for Spinal Stenosis

• Hwang SN
• Lee SK
• Kim YB
• Choi DY

Abstract

As proliferative epineural scar is one of the most common cause of persistent or recurred pain after laminectomy for lumbar disc or lumbar spinal stenosis, various attempts have been tried to prevent this troublesome complication. Among these, free fat graft has been widely used because of the protective barrier effect of the grafted fat against the infiltrating scar. The authors present a 41-year old woman who underwent a decompressive bilateral hemilaminectomy and free fat graft for lumber spinal stenosis. When the patient was allowed to walk 4 days after the surgery, she began to complain severe radiating right leg pain. Absolute bed rest, analgesics and steroid didn't relieve her pain, so reoperation was done 11 days after the initial operation. The grafted fat was densely adhered to the dura and part of itcompressed the root very thightly in the lateral recess. The fat was completely removed and the patient recovered without pre-exsting pain after the surgery.

Keyword

Spinal stenosis; Laminectomy; Complication; Fat graft

MeSH Terms

Adult
Analgesics
Bed Rest
Cicatrix
Female
Humans
Laminectomy
Leg
Radiculopathy*
Reoperation
Spinal Stenosis*
Transplants*
Analgesics