Subject:
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DCN 1: Perception and Action DCN 2: Functional Neurogenomics EBP 2: Effective Hospital Care IGMD 6: Hormonal regulation IGMD 8: Mitochondrial medicine IGMD 9: Renal disorder NCEBP 12: Human Reproduction NCEBP 14: Cardiovascular diseases NCMLS 1: Immunity, infection and tissue repair NCMLS 3: Tissue engineering and pathology UMCN 3.1: Neuromuscular development and genetic disorders UMCN 3.2: Cognitive neurosciences UMCN 4.3: Tissue engineering and reconstructive surgery UMCN 5.1: Genetic defects of metabolism UMCN 5.2: Endocrinology and reproduction |
Organization:
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Gynaecology Urology Paediatrics Surgery Pathology Neurology Biochemistry (UMC) |
Abstract:
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BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a collagen biomatrix is useful for delayed intrauterine coverage of a surgically created spina bifida in a fetal lamb. METHODS: In 20 fetal lambs, surgery was performed at 72 or 79 days' gestation. In 15 lambs a spina bifida was created surgically. In 8 lambs it was covered with a collagen biomatrix 2 weeks later and in 7 lambs it was left uncovered. Five lambs served as sham operated controls. Neurological examination was performed at 1 week of age and afterwards the lambs were sacrificed for further histological evaluation. RESULTS: None of the 5 surviving lambs with the defect covered showed loss of spinal function and the architecture of the spinal cord was preserved in 4 of the 5 lambs. In the uncovered group, 1 of the 4 surviving lambs had loss of spinal function, 5 lambs were available for histological evaluation and 4 of them showed disturbance of the architecture of the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Collagen biomatrices can be used for intrauterine coverage of an experimental spina bifida and can preserve the architecture of the spinal cord. Neurological outcome is not different between fetuses with their spinal cord covered and fetuses with uncovered cords.
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