Anesthesia was maintained by isoflurane at a concentration of 2%. After the lower back area was shaved, the surgical site was sterilized with povidone and alcohol. A longitudinal midline skin incision was made between the T12 and L1 spinous processes. The lumbosacral fascia was opened longitudinally, and the paravertebral musculature was carefully incised unilaterally in a subperiosteal fashion to expose the left laminae of T12–L1. To expose L4 and L5 spinal segments, the dorsal partial (2 × 1 mm2) T13 laminectomy (i.e., laminotomy) on the left lamina was accomplished (Figure 1 ), and epidural fat was taken out, leaving the dura mater intact and clean. During the surgical procedures, hemostasis was achieved with cotton pads.
After SCS treatment (see below for details) was completed (note that SCS was applied only to the laminectomy plus SCS group), the wounds were closed via propylene suture (Prolene polypropylene sutures; Ethicon; Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH). Animals with any neurological deficit in the postoperative period were excluded from the investigation. All animals were euthanized on postoperative day 14 or 15.
The sham surgery group underwent identical surgical procedures excluding the partial laminectomy and SCS. For the laminectomy alone group, electrodes were placed epidurally onto the spinal cord without turning on a stimulator.
After SCS treatment (see below for details) was completed (note that SCS was applied only to the laminectomy plus SCS group), the wounds were closed via propylene suture (Prolene polypropylene sutures; Ethicon; Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH). Animals with any neurological deficit in the postoperative period were excluded from the investigation. All animals were euthanized on postoperative day 14 or 15.
The sham surgery group underwent identical surgical procedures excluding the partial laminectomy and SCS. For the laminectomy alone group, electrodes were placed epidurally onto the spinal cord without turning on a stimulator.