Potential risk of mitomycin Cat high concentrations on peripheral nerve structure

Although the local application of mitomycin C may prevent epidural adhesion after laminectomy, mitomycin C can induce neurotoxicity in optic and acoustic nerves at high concentrations. To determine the safe concentration range for mitomycin C, cotton pads soaked with mitomycin C at different concentrations （0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 mg/mL） were immediately applied for 5 minutes to the operation area of rats that had undergone laminectomy at L1. Rat sciatic nerves, instead of dorsal nerves, were used in this study. The results showed that mitomycin C at 0.1-0.5 mg/mL did not damage the structure and function of the sciatic nerve, while at 0.7 mg/mL, mitomycin C signiifcantly reduced the thickness of the sciatic nerve myelin sheath compared with lower concen-trations, though no functional change was found. These experimental ifndings indicate that the local application of mitomycin C at low concentrations is safe to prevent scar adhesion following laminectomy, but that mitomycin C at high concentrations （＆gt;0.7 mg/mL） has potential safety risks to peripheral nerve structures.