Internal decompression of the acutely contused spinal cord: Differential effects of irrigation only versus biodegradable scaffold implantation

The Neuro-Spinal Scaffold promotes new tissue formation. Following contusion, hemorrhagic transformation of grey matter and extension of tissue loss due to secondary injury further destroys grey and white matter, culminating in the formation of a cavity spanned by thin trabeculae. This is a failure of wound healing. Our paradigm proposes that debridement of fluid necro-hemorrhagic debris creates a space into which a biocompatible PLGA-PLL scaffold may be inserted and is subsequently replaced by tissue, reducing or preventing cavitation. This new tissue supported in-migration of Schwann cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, NG2+ cells, axonal growth and myelination.366