The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether epidural fibrosis formation around the spinal cord was affected by endogenous oestrogen deficient state after lumbar laminectomy in the rats.

Thirty-six 12-month-old adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Bilaterally ooferectomy were done in 18 rats. Rats were divided into two groups: oophrectomised (oestrogen deficient) group and sham operated (oestrogen maintained) group. Three weeks after the ooferectomy each rat underwent complete bilaterally laminectomy at the L2 and L3 vertebral levels (two levels per rat). The rats were randomly divided into three equal groups (12 rats in each group). The rats were sacrificed at four, eight, and twelve weeks postoperatively and the lumbar spine excised en bloc, fixed and decalcified. Section stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome were used to evaluate epidural fibrosis, acute inflammatory cells, chronic inflammatory cells and vascular proliferation. Sections were analyzed by investigator blinded to the study and graded on a five-point grading system. Statistic were performed using Mann-Whitney U test when compare two variable and Kruskal-Wallis test when compare more than two variables.

Compared with the oopherectomised group, the sham operated group showed decreased rate of epidural fibrosis and higher acute and chronic inflammatory cells response at four and eight weeks but this was no statistically significant (p> 0.05). The results of this study revealed that endogenous oestrogen may decrease epidural fibrosis formation after lumbar laminectomy in the rats.

Aims: Carpal tunnel release is one of the most frequently used surgical procedures of hand surgery. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a new alternative technique of the standard open transverse carpal ligament release. In this study we present the effectiveness and complications of two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Methods: Between August 2000 and October 2001, we performed two portal (modiþed Chow technique) endoscopic carpal tunnel release to the 19 hands of 17 patients. Fifteen of these were female, two were male and mean age was 54.6 years (38–62 years). Mean follow up period was 8 months (4–21 months). Clinical evaluation was conþrmed with positive ENMG values. Patients were evaluated with the postoperative pain, numbness, scar sensation, returning to daily activities, and complications. Results: All the patients were satisþed with the relief of pain. They all returned to daily activities within two weeks after the operation. There was no hypersensitive scar formation. Numbness didnñt change at the six patients. In four patients, complication due to 3–4 common digital nerves injury occurred. Two of them explorated and interfascicular nerve repair was performed. Conclusions: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has become popular because of the minimal perioperative morbidity, short hospitalization, early rehabilitation of the hand, less postoperative pain and less scarring. Our experience is the same agreement with those advantages. But digital nerve complications were more frequent then the open technique. Especially at the learning period the surgeon should have to be more careful for the complications.