The viability of tissular healing of a muscular homologous ortothopic diaphragmatic segment preserved in hipersaturated sugar solution at 300% was studied as an implant in the canine diaphragmatic muscle. Twelve adult mongrel dogs were used, four males, and eight females weighing 9 to 18kg. A diaphragmatic defect, measuring 4.0 × 4.5 cm, was provoked in the muscular portion of the diaphragm for the implantation of the homologous diaphragmatic muscle segment. Six animals were observed for 30 days after the surgery and the other six for 60 days. After this period, they were reoperated, for macroscopic observation and collection of samples for histologic evaluation. A partial replacement of the implant was observed in the 30-day observation group whereas in the 60-day group a total substitution of the diaphragmatic muscular portion by granulation tissue rich in collagen fibers had occurred, allowing the reconstruction of the diaphragm. The homologous diaphragmatic muscle segment preserved in 300%, satured sugar solution, at room temperature, was substituted by fibrous connective tissue. The implant did not present clinical and histological signs of rejection and therefore it can be used for the repair of diaphragmatic defects.
Dog; surgery; implant; muscle graft
