BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that electric current can be hazardous for living tissues, facet denervation (FD) has been largely used in spine surgery. In spite of the fact that vascular structures are protected during the operation, some neurovascular disorders may develop after surgery. In this study, we investigated if FD can cause lesions of the radicular arteries. METHODS: Seventeen rabbits were included in this study. Three of them were used as control group and the remainder were subjected to L4-5 discectomy. FD was applied via monopolar electrocauterization to only half of the operated animals. One month after the surgery, all animals were sacrificed and the L4-5 spinal radicular arteries examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Vascular wall injury, endothelial necrosis, muscular lesions and thrombus development were seen in the majority of the spinal radicular arteries of the animals subjected to FD. CONCLUSION: Facet denervation via monopolar electrocautery may cause arterial lesions and thrombus development in the radicular arteries and therefore it should not be applied unless obligatory.
BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that electric current can be hazardous for living tissues, facet denervation (FD) has been largely used in spine surgery. In spite of the fact that vascular structures are protected during the operation, some neurovascular disorders may develop after surgery. In this study, we investigated if FD can cause lesions of the radicular arteries. METHODS: Seventeen rabbits were included in this study. Three of them were used as control group and the remainder were subjected to L4-5 discectomy. FD was applied via monopolar electrocauterization to only half of the operated animals. One month after the surgery, all animals were sacrificed and the L4-5 spinal radicular arteries examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Vascular wall injury, endothelial necrosis, muscular lesions and thrombus development were seen in the majority of the spinal radicular arteries of the animals subjected to FD. CONCLUSION: Facet denervation via monopolar electrocautery may cause arterial lesions and thrombus development in the radicular arteries and therefore it should not be applied unless obligatory.