Epidural free fat graft [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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====== Epidural free fat graft ======

The use of an autogenous free [[fat graft]] in the [[epidural space]] has been employed in an attempt to reduce post-op epidural [[scar]] formation. Opinion varies widely as to the effectiveness, some feel it is helpful, others feel it actually exacerbates scarring
((Dunsker SB. Comment on Cobanoglu S, et al.: Complication of Epidural Fat Graft in Lumbar Spine Disc Surgery: Case Report. Surg Neurol. 1995; 44:481–482)).
In some patients, no evidence of the graft will be found on reoperation years later. The fat graft can very rarely be a cause of nerve root compression
((Cabezudo JM, Lopez A, Bacci F. Symptomatic Root Compression by a Free Fat Transplant After Hemilaminectomy: Case Report. J Neurosurg. 1985; 63:633–635))
or cauda equina syndrome
((Prusick VD, Lint DS, Bruder J. Cauda Equina Syndrome as a Complication of Free Epidural Fat- Grafting. J Bone Joint Surg. 1988; 70A:1256–1258))
within the first few days post-op, and there is a case report of compression 6 years following surgery
((Cobanoglu S, Imer M, Ozylmaz F, et al. Complication of Epidural Fat Graft in Lumbar Spine Disc Surgery: Case Report. Surg Neurol. 1995; 44:479–482))