Xenogeneic pericardium as a dural substitute in reconstruction of suboccipital dura mater in children

Abstract

A 5-year experience with the glutaraldehyde-stabilized freeze-dried radiation-sterilized calf pericardium used as a dural substitute is reported. The structure of pericardium xenograft is compared with other collagenous materials used for duraplasty (allogeneic fascia lata and dura mater) by light and electron microscopy. The special neurosurgical techniques involved in using pericardium xenografts in the reconstruction of suboccipital dura mater in children are presented in detail.