title: Histology after dural grafting with small intestinal submucosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The search for the ideal dural substitute continues, inasmuch as available materials have significant limitations. Xenogeneic porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has been successfully used as a soft tissue graft in several body organ systems, and it was logical to evaluate its use as a dural replacement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty rats underwent bihemispheric craniectomy with dural resection. SIS onlay grafting on one side was performed. Histologic assessment was obtained at 7 and 28 days after dural grafting and included descriptive evaluation and quantitative scoring of graft-site thickness, vascularity, and cellular density. The total scores for the respective groups were compared using the Student's t test, significance being accepted for a p value < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologic evaluation showed graft infiltration by spindle-shaped mononuclear cells, deposition of connective tissue, and neovascularity. This pattern is consistent with the previously described incorporation and remodeling of the SIS graft at other sites. A significant difference between the histologic scores of the SIS graft site and control site was found at 7 days (3.4 +/- 0.8 versus 0.1 +/- 0.1) and at 28 days (4.6 +/- 1.1 versus 2.2 +/- 0.5). No evidence of adverse effect on the underlying cortex was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this preliminary study utilizing porcine SIS as a dural substitute are promising and therefore justify further chronic studies.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Badylak
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Janas
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Boop
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000601:surgery*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D016378:Tissue Transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous