The role of fibroblast growth factor-2 in healing the dura mater after inducing cerebrospinal fluid leakage in rats.

We conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of topically applied recombinant mouse fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in healing the dura mater in a rat with dura mater injury and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Laminectomies were performed in 32 rats at the level of the L2–L4 vertebrae, and a dura mater defect was created. Sixteen rats were treated postoperatively with locally applied recombinant mouse FGF-2, and 16 animals received normal saline. FGF-2 effects on dura mater healing, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and wound healing were assessed at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. The extent of dura mater healing was evaluated by histological analysis. We found that dura mater healing was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in rats treated with FGF-2 compared with rats in the control group. In this experimental model, locally applied FGF-2 effectively increased dura mater healing and induced no side effects.