Long-term followup with the use of lyophilized dura mater for abdominal wall closure in children: report of 3 cases.

Abstract

We report our experience with 3 children treated during infancy by abdominal wall reconstruction using lyophilized dura mater. Followup has been 36, 46 and 96 months postoperatively and they demonstrated adequate abdominal wall healing. One child has mild muscular diastasis, while 1 has completely healed. In 1 child a small defect developed in the repair, which was closed at a secondary procedure. Wound infection, dehiscence or herniation did not occur. There has been no evidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which has been reported when allogenic dura was not obtained from registered tissue banks. Our experience with dura mater suggests that the material may be a useful adjunct in the repair and closure of complex abdominal defects.