[Experimental study of water leakage in duraplasty using ePTFE sheet as an artificial dura mater]

The authors have evaluated the preventive effect of water leakage from the suture holes of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) sheet. Six currently available suture materials (4-0 SURGILON, 4 types of Gore-tex suture, DuraClose) were compared. The water leakage was 0.05 cc/min when using Gore-tex suture (CV-6, needle/thread ratio = 1.0), 0.025 cc/min when using DuraClose. With each two material, the water leakage was significantly less (p < 0.05) in comparison with other materials. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed that the residual suture holes were minimum when using Gore-tex suture (CV-6, needle/thread ratio = 1.0). In conclusion, running suture with Gore-tex suture (CV-6, needle/thread ratio = 1.0) could be effective in preventing water leakage from the suture holes of ePTFE sheet in duraplasty.