Turkish Neurosurgery 2013 , Vol 23 , Num 1
Evaluation of the Neurotoxicity of the Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogel Dural Sealant
Bulent BAKAR1, Emine Arzu KOSE2, Mahi BALCI3, Pinar ATASOY3, Bahram SARKARATI4, Aslihan ALHAN5, Kamer KILINC4, Ismail Semih KESKIL1
1Kirikkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Kirikkale, Turkey
2Kirikkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anaestesiology and Reanimation, Kirikkale, Turkey
3Kirikkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Kirikkale, Turkey
4Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
5Ufuk University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Statistics, Ankara, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.6039-12.1 AIM: Although polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a neutral, biocompatible hydrophilic polymer recognized for its lack of interaction with biological barrier, its neurotoxicity has not been clearly identified in neurosurgery. This study is constructed to evaluate the possible neurotoxicity of a PEG hydrogel dural sealant.

MATERIAL and METHODS: After a burrhole was opened in the left parietal bone of the twenty five Wistar albino rats, the dura mater and cerebral cortex were incised and the experimental material (activated polyethylene glycol and polyethylene imine) was sprayed into the burrhole. Then brain tissues were harvested for histopathological and biochemical studies at 72 hours to investigate the acute stage changes and on 15th day to evaluate the chronic stage changes.

RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences among the groups regarding the comparison of the values of the PMNL cell infiltration grades, gliosis and congestion in both acute and chronic stages. However, the values of the MNL cell infiltration grades, edema and fibrin formation, lipid peroxidation levels of harvested brain tissues were similar in all groups.

CONCLUSION: Although this study did not present the detailed histopathological and biochemical evaluation results, it indicated that the application of the PEG-based hydrogel sealant was not associated with neurotoxicity, delayed healing, or degenerative changes. Keywords : Polyethylene glycol, Hydrogel, Dural sealant, Neurotoxicity

Corresponding author : Bulent Bakar, bulentbanrs@yahoo.com