In order to find an ideal biological material to prevent peridural adhesion following laminectomy, 30 rabbits were used as animal model, in each of which 2 defects with a size of 1 cm x 0.5 cm were made following laminectomy of L3, L5 spine. One of the defects was covered extradurally with chitosan, gelatin foam or PLA membrane respectively, while the other defect was exposed as control. All of these animals were sacrificed on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th week after operation, and the extradural fibrosis and adhesion of every animal were evaluated by gross observation and histological examinations. It was revealed that in the chitosan and PLA membrane groups, the extradural tissue was smooth without thickening and there was no fibrous proliferation or adhesion in the epidural cavity, and that in the chitosan group, the growth of fibroblast was restrained but the growth of the epithelial cells was promoted significantly, thus, wound healing was rapid. In the control group and gelatin foam group, obvious extradural fibrosis and adhesion were observed and the extradural space had almost disappeared. Therefore, it was concluded that the biodegradable PLA membrane and chitosan were both an ideal material in the prevention of postoperative epidural adhesion.
From Jan. 1991 to Jan. 1994, 11 cases ofdifferent hip lesions with flexon contracture deformity were treated by combination of SmithPeterson and WatsonJones incisions in replacement of hip joint. All of them were followed-up for 1 to 3 years (an average of 1.9 years). According to pain, joint function, the excellent and good results were rated at 90.9%. This showed that from using the combined incisions, the hip joint was very well exposed, and release of hip flexion contracture could be acomplished in the same time. Bleeding fromoperation was reduced and the procedure was simple.