Evaluation of Freeze-Dried Dura Mater Allograft as a Collagen Based Barrier (an experimental animal study)

Freeze-dried dura mater allograft (FDDMA) was evaluated as a cost-effective collagenous barrier using an experimental animal model to determine its biocompatibility and 'cell-occlusivity' potential. The FDDMA was processed at the Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, in accordance with the guidelines provided by the South-Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation, U.S.A. Fifteen Charles Foster rats were selected for a study period of 9 weeks. The 1st set graft procedure was performed in an abdominal pouch and after 1 week bilateral mandibular defects were created. One defect was covered by the FDDMA barrier (2nd set graft procedure) and the other defect served as the control. The post operative autopsy and morphological and histological assessments were carried out at 2 and 4 weeks for the 1st set graft, and 3, 6 and 9 weeks for the 2nd set graft procedure. There was acceptance of the 2nd set graft in a pre-exposed animal and no significant inflammatory response. The processed FDDMA demonstrated optimal 'cell-occlusivity' potential for guided bone regeneration to take place in Charles Foster rats.