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 1). 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 2) or cauda equina syndrome 3) within the first few days post-op, and there is a case report of compression 6 years following surgery 4)

1)
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
2)
Cabezudo JM, Lopez A, Bacci F. Symptomatic Root Compression by a Free Fat Transplant After Hemilaminectomy: Case Report. J Neurosurg. 1985; 63:633–635
3)
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
4)
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