Seven adult mongrel dogs, three males and four females, weighting between 10 and 22kg were used to evaluate the diaphragmatic muscle healing process. A defect of 8.0×5.5cm was created at the muscular portion of the left hemidiaphragm, through a thoracotomy at the eighth left intercostal space. A segment of bovine pericardium, preserved in 300% sugar solution, was implanted in the diaphragmatic defect. The heterologous implant was sutured with 3.0 polyamide using simple continuous suture. After the observation period, radiologic analysis and macroscopic and histopathologic evaluations were performed. Upon radiographic examination, there was no evidence of interruption of diaphragmatic outline or increased radiopacity at the implantation site. Histologically, fine connective tissue occluded the diaphragmatic defect. Bovine pericardium preserved in 300% supersaturated sugar solution at room temperature is replaced by a fine layer of connective fibrous tissue and promote repair of large diaphragmatic defects in dogs.
dog; diaphragm; pericardium; sugar; surgery
