Immune response to dehydrated human dura mater: evaluation in a rabbit model

Ninety white hybrid rabbits, each weighing 2.5 to 3.5 kg, were used for this experimental model. Thirty rabbits were used for control, and sixty other rabbits were investigated for the response of host to the dural graft. In all animals, a dural defect, 1 x 1 cm in size, was created on the left parietal area following craniotomy. In the control group the excised free dural piece was then sutured again to the area from which it had been excised before. The dural defect was closed with dehydrated human dura mater (DHD) in the half of the rabbits in the group of study, and with autogenous fascia lata (AFL) in the other half. After operation, animals in each group were then subjected to one of five different groups comprising of 3,14,30,60 and 90 days follow-up periods. At the end of follow-up periods, histological, parameters such as cellular inflammatory response, development of fibrous tissue, capsulation, and calcification were examined in specimens obtained from the animals. There was no significant difference between AFL and DHD grafts. In conclusion, it seems that DHD is suitable as an ideal dural graft, because the immune response of host to DHD was almost similar to AFL.