Duraplasty Graft Seals Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks

A new treatment option is now available for the repair the dura mater following cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks at the base of the skull. 

The Biodesign Duraplasty Graft is a non-dermis, non-cross-linked biologic graft that is designed for repairs of the dura mater, the thick membrane that is the outermost of the three layers of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord, and is responsible for keeping in the CSF; it is derived from mesoderm. The Biodesign graft itself is derived from a natural material that is easy to manipulate, does not swell with hydration, and does not fold onto itself. Once in place, the body completely remodels the graft into strong, well-vascularized tissue. 


The graft can be placed with or without sutures and it can achieve a strong seal, so that it provides a well-balanced treatment option. It can also be used to treat existing CSF leaks, such as those resulting from trauma or sinus surgery at the skull base. Another benefit of Biodesign graft is that it reduces the need to harvest tissue from other parts of the body for use in the repair. The Biodesign Duraplasty Graft is a product of Cook Medical (Bloomington, IN, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Biodesign’s proven tissue repair technology works in different grafting procedures,” said Thomas Cherry, RN, OHNS global leader of the Cook Medical Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) clinical division. “We’re excited to introduce the device to otolaryngologists and expand OHNS’s Biodesign line. Because of Biodesign’s excellent handling characteristics, physicians can secure the Biodesign graft during skull-base dura mater reconstruction with or without suturing.”

“I started using Biodesign because I found it easier to handle during the endoscopic repair than competing products,” said Bradford Woodworth, MD, director of otolaryngology research at the University of Alabama (Birmingham, USA). “Although not directly measured, I feel it contributes to faster graft placement and increased operative speed.”

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Cook Medical
University of Alabama