The Application of an Omentum Graft or Flap in Spinal Cord Injury

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157930 · Published: July 25, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Surgery

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes damage and inflammation, and promoting blood vessel growth is important for recovery. The omentum, rich in blood and lymph vessels, can help regenerate tissue. This study examines how omentum, as a flap or graft, affects nerve regeneration after SCI in rats. The study involved grafting a thin layer of omentum to the injured spinal cord of rats after SCI. Omental grafts improved behavior scores, reduced cavity size, and preserved nerve fibers in the injured area. Omental flaps, which remain vascularized, also showed nerve fiber preservation. The findings suggest that using omentum as a graft or flap has a positive effect on nerve protection and tissue preservation in SCI rats. This highlights the potential of omentum in clinical applications for treating spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

6 weeks (omentum graft), 16 weeks (omentum flap)

Participants

Sprague-Dawley rats (250–300 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Omental graft improved behavior scores significantly from the 3rd to 6th week after injury in contusive SCI rats.
2
Omental graft reduced cavity size and preserved class III β-tubulin-positive nerve fibers in the injury area in contusive SCI rats.
3
Omental flap treatment displayed the preservation of significantly more nerve fibers and a reduced injured cavity in completely transected SCI rats, although locomotor scores were similar.

Research Summary

This study investigates the efficacy of autologous omentum, either as a flap or graft, on spinal nerve regeneration after contusive and transected SCI in rats. The results indicate that omental grafts improved behavior scores, reduced cavity size, and preserved nerve fibers in contusive SCI rats. Omental flaps also promoted nerve fiber regeneration in transected SCI rats. The study concludes that treatment with an omental graft or flap has a positive effect on nerve protection and tissue preservation in SCI rats, highlighting the importance of omentum in clinical applications.

Practical Implications

Clinical Applications

Omentum grafts or flaps could be a potential treatment for nerve protection and tissue preservation in spinal cord injury patients.

Angiogenesis and Revascularization

The omentum's rich vascularity and angiogenic factors can promote blood supply and reduce inflammation at the injury site.

Further Research

Optimization of the omentum transposition procedure and combination with other therapies should be considered for improved outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and results may not be directly translatable to humans.
2
Locomotor scores in the omental flap treatment group did not show a significant difference, despite nerve fiber preservation.
3
Long-term effects of omentum graft or flap treatment were not evaluated beyond 16 weeks.

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