Homologous dura mater used to close thoracic wall and diaphragmatic defects.

We have reported the successful use of homologous dura mater preserved in glycerin at room temperature to repair large defects of the thoracic wall or diaphragm in five patients. The surgical technic involved the use of autologous bone grafts in order to stabilize the thoracic cage in one case, but in the other four the dural blade was sufficient. The postoperative course was uneventful regarding the structure and function of the dural implant in each case.