EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PERITONEUM AND PERICARDIUM AS DURAL SUBSTITUTES

Although many substances have been tested in the search for an ideal d ural substitute, an entirely satisfactory material has still not been found. The authors report an experimental study involving the closure of dural defects in rabbits with biomaterials developed from pig perit oneum and pericardium. Macroscopic and histologic examination, perform ed over a period between 15 and 45 days after implantation showed slig ht or no adhesion between the graft material and the cortex. No infect ion, CSF leakage, fistula or toxicity was noticed. The results demonst rated that these biomaterials could be used as satisfactory dural subs titutes.