Why does severe scarring occur after lumbar laminectomy and/or open discectomy?
Two types of material when present in the spinal column were the spinal nerve roots and spinal cord membranes are located (epidural space) produce severe scarring. Most scar producing is the presence of nucleus pulposus, which is the soft central part of the spinal discs. The next scar producing material is presence of blood in this space. Both of these materials are released in large quantities with lumbar laminectomy and open discectomy. Finally when tissues of the body are disrupted, there is bleeding and the body’s response to bleeding is attachment of tissues together by scarring which is part of the normal healing of the body.
