Human dura mater allografts in repair of pelvic floor and abdominal wall defects.

Freeze-dried human dura mater has been used as an allograft for reconstructive gynecologic surgery since 1980. So far, 33 grafts have been placed. This versatile and immunologically inert material has been used to reconstruct the pelvic floor after exenterative procedures, replace rectus fascia in the repair of wound dehiscence and ventral or parastomal hernias, and cover the femoral vessels after nodal dissection. In seven patients, dura mater was grafted into infected sites without subsequent rejection. Biopsy of an allograft one year after implantation confirmed the natural tendency of the body to convert the dura mater to a viable and neovascularized tissue. This reconstructive material is a safe and versatile allograft for gynecologic oncologists.