Use of Acellular Fish Skin for Dura Repair in an Ovine Model: A Pilot Study

Recently the use of biologic materials as dura mater repair patches has been increasing. The purpose of this study is to assess the basis for efficacy and safety of using a novel fish derived acellular dermis (Kerecis Omega3 DuraTM). In an ovine model a craniotomy under general anaesthesia was performed. A defect was produced in the dural covering of approximately 1 × 2 cm and closed with an onlay technique, with Kerecis Omega3 Dura. The bone defect was covered with the bony flap and the overlying tissues closed in layers. At 2, 5, 8 and 11 weeks the sheep underwent MRI scanning followed by euthanasia, necropsy and histological assessment. MRI images taken at 2, 5, 8 and 11 weeks showed initially moderate inflammatory response, which diminished over time, and at 11 weeks no evidence of inflammation existed. There was evidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage at no time point. Necropsy revealed some adhesions at 5 and 8 weeks, in particular at 5 weeks, but at 11 weeks there were no adhesions found. From 2 11 weeks, there was evidence of initially an inflammatory reaction followed by neodura formation at the defect site through cellular ingrowth and remodeling of the acellular fish skin. Histology showed a histiocytic foreign body reaction initially that subsided over time. As early as 8 weeks there was evidence of neodura formation and by 11 weeks there was a minimal inflammatory response with an intact neodura formed. In this pilot study the Kerecis Omega3 Dura patches performed in a safe and efficacious manner. This new material needs to be fully assessed and compared with other products that are currently on the market in a larger scale animal study.