Objectives: In this study, the effects of human amniotic fluid on posterolateral spinal fusion were investigated in a rat model.
Materials and methods: Twenty-eight 20-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were included in the study. The subjects were divided into two main groups as the control group and the amniotic fluid group. Posterolateral spinal fusion was performed by using autografts in all groups whereas 0.3 ml of centrifuged human amniotic fluid was added to the fusion area in amniotic fluid groups. Groups were further divided into subgroups each including seven rats and evaluated radiologically and histologically at the third and sixth weeks.
Results: The radiological fusion observed in the amniotic fluid group was significant at the sixth week when compared to that in the control group. The histological fusion quality was significant in the amniotic fluid groups both at the third and sixth weeks when compared to the control groups.
Conclusion: We conclude that human amniotic fluid enhances posterolateral spinal fusion. We believe that the growth factors and hyaluronic acid present in the amniotic fluid played a role in this result.