Histological difference in ligament flavum between degenerative lumbar canal stenosis and non-stenotic group: A prospective, comparative study

Table 3 Morphometric differences between the groups

Factor		mean	SD	t	df	P value
% Elastin fragmentation	NS (40)	29.50	16.9	-9.51	71	< 0.0001
	S (34)	66.47	16.3
Collagen content (area %)	NS (40)	54.94	6.41	-4.38	53.2	< 0.0001
	S (34)	63.59	10.36
Elastic content (area %)	NS (40)	34.73	8.36	4.36	72	< 0.0001
	S (34)	26.94	6.71
Elastin/Collagen ratio	NS (40)	0.63	0.14	6.01	71.27	< 0.0001
	S (34)	0.43	0.13
Width of elastin fibers	NS (39)	4.37	1.07	5.44	71	< 0.0001
	S (34)	3.27	0.54
Ligamentocyte numbers	NS (40)	53.45	26.85	2.6	72	< 0.0001
	S (34)	39.11	19.05