title: The use of a dura mater patch to cover oesophageal defects of different sizes: an experimental study in chickens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find out the optimal size of full thickness oesophageal defects that can be repaired with patches of Tutoplast Dura (solvent dehydrated human dura mater in the form of absorbable collagen).
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital, Greece.
  
  
  METHODS
  96 female Hubbard chickens in four groups of 24.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the three experimental groups longitudinal defects were made in the cervical oesophagus 30 x 5, 10, or 15 mm and covered with Tutoplast. Subgroups of 6 chickens were weighed, had a barium swallow examination, and were then killed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The oesophagus was removed and examined histopathologically.
  
  
  METHODS
  Weight, extent of healing macroscopically and microscopically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All chickens that had had defects 30 x 15 mm in size died between days 5 and 10, and the oesophagus in all cases was obstructed by food. There were no deaths or complications in the other three groups, and no evidence of dysphagia on barium swallow. In chickens with defects of 30 x 5 and 30 x 10 mm the prosthetic material gradually disappeared, and they healed well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Defects in the chicken's cervical oesophagus larger than 30 x 10 mm cannot be repaired with a Tutoplast patch, but smaller defects can. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of healing.
authors: B Department of Surgery, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: P G
authors: PG
authors: Delikaris
authors: K P
authors: KP
authors: Hatzipantelis
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Filintatzi
authors: R E
authors: RE
authors: Kotakidou
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kitis
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Raptopoulos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002645:Chickens; D003094:Collagen; D004388:Dura Mater; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020007:Implants, Experimental
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen