The Use of Glycerol-Preserved Homologous Dura Mater Grafts in Cardiac Surgery: The Southampton Experience

Abstract

Dura mater obtained from human cadavers and preserved in glycerol was used as patch grafts in various positions in the repair of acquired and congenital cardiac defects in 107 patients over a four-year period. The ages of the recipients ranged from 2 days to 75 years. The mean duration of preservation of the dura mater before use was 25.2 ± 8.1 weeks. The dural grafts were used as an aortic root gusset in 38 patients (35.5%) undergoing aortic valve replacement, for enlargement of the pulmonary artery or right ventricular outflow tract or both in 38 patients (35.5%), and for repair of coarctation of the aorta in 10 patients (9.4%). The grafts also were used for closure of atrial septal defects, for a variety of other congenital cardiac anomalies, and for replacement of segments of the aorta (2 patients). There were no complications attributable to the use of dura mater. Dura mater preserved in glycerol would seem to be a suitable material for repair of various cardiac defects because of its strength, low antigenicity, athrombogenicity, ease of handling, availability in large sizes, and rapid bonding to host tissue. However, long-term follow-up is important to assess the lasting properties of dura mater.