[Technical procedure in the use of lyophilized dura for closure of extensive abdominal wall defects].

In the Department of Pediatric Surgery in the Steglitz Hospital of Berlin Free University, major defects in the thoracic and abdominal wall and other sites were treated in 122 children by implantation of lyophilised dura. Surgery was performed 49 times at the abdominal wall, 26 times at the diaphragm, 14 times at the thoracic wall, and 33 times in various other regions. Lyophilised dura, after it has been desantigenised and sterilised, is very versatile in application. However, it is necessary to avoid any area of contact with the lumen of the digestive tract, the tracheo-bronchial system and the body surface. If the implanted dura can be covered with endogenous soft parts and skin, complete incorporation is achieved with the formation of a solid cicatricial plate which provides satisfactory stabilisation of the wall even in extensive defects. Another essential prerequisite is safe anchoring of the dura implants, which can always be achieved if an appropriate suturing technique is employed.